CITY STUDENTS GETTING HEALTHIER

Kamloops students are giving up smoking, staying away from alcohol and
drugs, and are less likely to be sexually active while in high school,
a new survey said Wednesday.

The McCreary Centre Society did their adolescent health survey during
the spring of 2003. They asked more than 30,000 elementary and
secondary students from around the province -- 2,500 of which were in
the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region -- questions about such topics as
violence, drugs, depression and isolation.

Aileen Murphy, managing director of McCreary, said the results showed
a vast improved from surveys of the past.

"We've seen a decrease in young people when it comes to smoking or
trying alcohol or drugs," she said. "They are less likely to be
sexually active and those that are sexually active are using condoms."

In 1992, 77 per cent of students had tried alcohol. That number
dropped to 70 per cent in 1998 and 65 per cent this time around.

The number of students having sex before the age of 14 dropped to 21
per cent in 2003 compared to 32 per cent a decade ago. Of those who
had sex, 66 per cent of males used a condom in 2003 compared to 61 per
cent in 1992 while 50 per cent of females used birth control last
year, up 10 per cent from 1992.

Murphy said the biggest improvement was seen in the number of youths
who start smoking. Only nine per cent of those surveyed last year were
lighting up, half as many as 1992.

The improvements could be the result of a variety of
things.

"Students could be getting the message given by health promotions and
programs.

"Anti-smoking campaigns and the high price of cigarettes are having an
impact on those who smoke and concerns about HIV are making them think
twice about having sex."

Students who have a strong connection to family and feel a sense of
belonging to their school tend to make healthier choices, she said.

"It's easier for them if they feel safe in school or in their
community and have an adult to turn to."

Terry Sullivan, superintendent for School District 73, said the
McCreary survey is an important study.

"That's why we participate in it and are going to spend a fair bit of
time going through it in the next few months," he said. "It's very
interesting data."

He was glad to see that youths are being more careful and staying away
from some high-risk activities.

The McCreary Centre Society is a small, Vancouver-based non-profit
organization concerned with the health of young people in B.C.

Survey results were similar across the province.