COCAINE USE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE RISE: SURVEY

Disturbing Statistics Revealed By Provincial Survey; Confirmed
Locally Through Informal Query By Public Health Nurses

Cocaine and crack use among area youth is on the rise.

That's one of the startling findings of a recently-conducted
provincial survey on student drug use, and a fact that was validated
by professionals who work with Halton youths.

A report presented recently by Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr.
Bob Nosal to the health and social services committee notes that in
western Ontario -- which includes Halton -- cocaine use among
students has gone from 3.6 per cent in 1999 to 6.2 per cent in 2005
- -- representing the highest prevalence in the province of among teens surveyed.

Nosal also reported that an informal survey conducted by public
health nurses last month through consulting professionals like school
staff, police and youth workers validated that cocaine and crack use
has increased among Halton youth.

Public health nurse Lorraine Gold filled the committee in on other
details of the provincial survey.

"Since 1993, cocaine use has been steadily increasing for both males
and females," she said.

She noted that the most striking jump is seen in Grade 11 students,
going from a 2.5 per cent usage rate in 1993 to 7.2 per cent last year.

Gold also said that about 1,600 Halton students used cocaine at least
once last year.

Other statistics presented on local drug use include:

- - 62 per cent, or about 22,000 Halton students, reported using
alcohol during the 12-month period before the survey

- - 22.5 per cent, or approximately 8,000 local pupils, said they had
been drunk at least once during the four weeks prior to the survey

- - While tobacco use is down, one in seven students said they still
smoke, which represents about 5,100 students in the region

- - About 9,400 area students, or 26.5 per cent, reported using cannabis

In addition, the health nurses' informal survey revealed local
professionals who work with youth feel cannabis use is widespread,
tobacco use has declined and most teens seeking treatment services
for their substance use are using cannabis, alcohol or crack/cocaine.

Along with the information presented by region staff, the committee
also heard about drug use amongst the Peer Outreach Support Services
and Education (POSSE) project's clients.

Representatives from POSSE -- which describes itself as a harm
reduction and human rights project run by youth for youth in north
Halton -- said that of the 254 client contacts the group made between
April 2005 and January 2006, 215 of those individuals used drugs.

Of those, 76 per cent used alcohol, 70 per cent, tobacco, 65 per
cent, marijuana, 31.5 per cent, mushrooms, 29.5 per cent, cocaine,
20.9 per cent, crack, 18.5 per cent, ecstasy and 11.8 per cent heroine/opiates.

Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville questioned where youths are
getting the money to buy drugs.

"It's not a cheap habit," he noted.

Public health nurse Mary Tabak told him that youths have a variety of
money sources, such as employment. She pointed out that Halton is
also an affluent community.

Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll asked Nosal about the health effects
of marijuana. Nosal replied that with heavy use a person would
develop a dependence on it and also see impacts on the brain, such as
with thought and memory.

"There is more tar and cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana than in
tobacco," he noted.

The committee supported having staff explore options to ensure the
availability of data that reflects the health and social status of
school-aged children and youth in Halton.