LOCAL TEENS HEAVY ABUSERS

Hamilton teenagers are drinking and driving and using drugs at almost
twice the provincial rate.

The city's public health department says that one-third of students
surveyed report driving under the influence of marijuana, compared to
a provincial average of 20 per cent.

And 11 per cent reported using cocaine, compared to 6 per cent across
the province. The numbers are drawn from a provincial study.

They also cover Niagara, Haldimand and Brant County. Hamilton is
conducting its own survey to narrow the focus.

The results are no surprise to Debbie Christie, manager of the city's
Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services. She puts the blame squarely on
Hamilton's high child poverty.

"These rates are not surprising, given the number of homeless and
disenfranchised youth we have in our city," she said. "You can't make
progress in problem behaviour until basic needs are met."

One in four Hamilton children lives in poverty.

Christie said teenagers turn to drugs as an escape from their problems.