ALBERTA TEENS CLEANER: POLL

Youths Use Drugs Less Frequently Than Counterparts In Ontario And Nova Scotia

Alberta teens are more likely to chew tobacco and smoke crack than those in
Ontario and Nova Scotia.

But when it comes to smoking cigarettes and doing other drugs, Alberta
teens are more likely to just say no, according to a survey by the Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC).

Nearly 3,400 Grade 7 to 12 students were polled last fall to see what
drugs, if any, they had consumed in the prior 12 months.

They were also asked about gambling habits, including if they bet on sports
games, played bingo or bought scratch tickets.

Just over 56% of Alberta respondents said they consumed alcohol in the past
12 months compared to nearly 66% in Ontario and 52% in Nova Scotia.

Almost 8% said they'd used chewing tobacco or snuff while fewer than 5% in
Nova Scotia did.

That data wasn't available in Ontario.

When it comes to marijuana, magic mushrooms, crystal meth, ecstasy,
cocaine, recreational use of prescription drugs, heroin and steroids,
Alberta teens reported less activity than those in the other provinces.

A PICTURE OF ALBERTA YOUTH

And they are less likely to take part in any type of gambling.

It was the first such survey by AADAC and the results were compared to
similar poll findings in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

AADAC said it will conduct the survey every two years to monitor provincial
changes and adjust programs accordingly.

"The overall vision of the survey was to get a picture of Alberta youth as
they are today and try to envision the adults they may become," AADAC said
in the report.

"If AADAC staff can see what road youth are taking, we can plan for
treatment needs in the near future and we can refine our prevention
programs to help influence young people to make better choices in the long
term."

The survey also examined risk and protective factors associated with the
likelihood of developing substance abuse or gambling problems.

Lack of parental support, a family history of addiction and poor school
performance are among risk factors, while good parental monitoring,
participation in positive extra-curricular activities and being a
well-rounded student are listed as protective factors.

STILL A SEVERE PROBLEM

Natalie Lirenman, executive peer counsellor at the Alberta Recovery Centre
in Calgary, said it's nice Alberta teens are doing less drugs than others
in Canada but the survey shouldn't be interpreted to mean there isn't a
problem.

"I think it's good if we have a lower rate than other places but we still
have a severe drug (and alcohol) problem here in Alberta," she said.