TEEN CRACK USE ON THE RISE

Cocaine And Crack Use Among Local Youth Is On The Rise.

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

A report presented to the health and social services committee last
week from Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal notes that in
western Ontario -- which includes Halton -- cocaine use amongst
students has gone from 3.6 per cent in 1999 to 6.2 per cent in 2005,
which is the highest prevalence compared to other areas surveyed in
the province.

Dr. Nosal also reported that an informal scan 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'd 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 scan 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
heroin/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 said 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.

The Region's public health staff is currently involved in implementing
a variety of initiatives to enhance the healthy development of youth
across Halton.