MARIJUANA PASSES TOBACCO AS DRUG OF CHOICE FOR YOUTHS

SYDNEY -- Marijuana use is a growing problem, particularly among
younger children, said Everett Harris, director of addiction services
for the Cape Breton and Guysborough-Antigonish-Strait health districts.

In fact, a new review by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse -- an
organization made up of police, lawyers, scientists and civil servants
- -- concludes that, in most age groups in junior and senior high
school, more teens smoke marijuana than tobacco.

"That's one area where we know we've been successful," said
Harris.

"There has been a dramatic change in the use of tobacco, but the fight
isn't over."

Harris said a new curriculum-based program, A Question of Influence,
will be released in Grades 7-9 across the province this fall as a
result of a partnership between school boards and addictions officials.

It will let teens know about the negative consequences of drugs and
alcohol, and emphasize that they don't have to take drugs to fit in.
It will also point out that marijuana can impair drivers just like
alcohol.

"We need to reassure people that it's OK not to be a part of that," he
said. "Whether it's someone impaired on alcohol or impaired on
cannabis, it's a concern."

The new program will be important, he said, because addictions workers
are increasingly finding marijuana use in particular among younger
children.

According to the CCSA review, Substance Abuse in
Canada: Youth in Focus, 17 per cent of junior
high students use marijuana. That number jumps to
29 per cent in high school students, and nearly
50 per cent of those just out of high school.

"Alcohol is by far the most common substance used by youth and binge
drinking is common," the review found. "Cannabis is the second-most
common substance -- and the first among illicit drugs -- used by
Canadian youth.

"Cannabis use is now more common than cigarette smoking among
students."

The CCSA review also said that Canadians of all ages are among the
most frequent users of marijuana in the world. Harris said that makes
it difficult to tell children that marijuana is a serious drug that is
especially harmful for youths whose bodies and brains are still developing.

The review was based on highly respected student surveys that are now
five years old, said Harris. New data is expected to be released in
the next couple of months, but even if there is no further increase in
the trend, the data still presents a problem, he added.

Substance use leads to risky behaviour, Harris said, adding that
marijuana might not lead to harder drugs, but its use places teens in
situations that can lead to serious consequences.

"It leads to difficulties. It might not be a 'gateway' drug, but it
gets people into milieus where other things are going on.

"When people get into consistent use, the consequences are not
good."

The CCSA review found that various intoxicants can lead to property
damage, violence, and individual health problems.

Research on the health effects of marijuana isn't conclusive, Harris
said, "but people are going to have cognitive difficulties and social
difficulties."