SCHOOL BOARDS LEARN RESULTS OF AADAC YOUTH SURVEY

Last year schools in the Peace Wapiti and Grande Prairie Catholic
School Boards participated in a survey to study youth substance and
gambling use.

Schools were selected at random to participate in the Alberta Youth
Experience Survey, with the blessing of the school boards, and one of
the 90 Alberta schools which participated in the survey was in Spirit
River. A total of five schools in the Grande Prairie area
participated.

Students in Grades 7 through 12 were asked if they had used a number
of substances or gambled within the past year. These areas were
addressed as they are the areas of prevention and treatment programs
provided by AADAC. In Alberta 56.3 per cent of students reported
consuming alcohol in 2002, 27.6 per cent used cannabis (marijuana or
hash), 16.2 per cent smoked cigarettes and 10.4 per cent consumed
magic mushrooms/mescaline.

Barb Robbins of AADAC who has presented the results to the school
boards, said there are obvious differences in use levels between the
Grade 7 students and the Grade 11 or 12 students. Alcohol use is one
of the substances which is used in greater amounts as the age of the
person increases.

In the area of gambling, 30.8 per cent of young people reported
playing scratch lottery tickets in 2002, 23 per cent played cards for
money, 21.1 per cent bet on sporting events with friends and 9.5 per
cent played bingo. Robbins said many young people don't see such
things as betting on a sporting event as gambling in the same way that
an adult may, because they likely don't experience the same financial
implications. She said young people tend to have expendable money,
which is not required to provide them food and shelter; as they still
live at home with their parents.

The survey also indicated many factors which could increase a young
persons chances of having a substance abuse or gambling problem. These
risk factors include their age, peer risk behaviour, family history of
substance abuse (it is proven to run in families), family discord,
school disconnection (do not feel involved in school), low father's
support, grade at first use of cigarettes, grade at first use of
cannabis, signs of leaving school early and low mother's support. In
turn, many protective factors were also identified. These factors were
shown in young people who did not become involved in substance abuse
or have gambling problems. They included parental monitoring (parental
involvement in lives), social skills, participation in pro-social
activities, availability of pro-social activities, good school marks,
school connection, positive adults in neighbourhood and good peer
influence in decision making.

For more information on the survey or to view the results in their
entirety visit www.aadac.gov.ab.ca or call 1-800-280-9616 for a copy.