Drug Abuse in Alberta, Youth Drug Addiction is Still a Concern

Trois-Rivières, Quebec – In an Alberta Youth Experience Survey, it was reported that 26.7% of youth said they were using marijuana.  There were close to 4000 youth surveyed between grades seven to twelve.  It was also reported that 15.9% of the youth used other illicit drugs and 30% of the youth used any type of drug.  “These are not uncommon figures for youth drug addiction,” comments Nick Hayes, a representative of Narconon Trois-Rivieres.  “Many youth today are starting to use drugs at a very young age.  This can be for a variety of reasons, but for the most part they are not fully educated on the dangers of these drugs, combined with believing it to be the social thing to do.”

Marijuana is still the most popular and commonly used drug among young people in Alberta, and this is followed by 8.9% who use hallucinogens, 5.8% use ecstasy, 4.1% use cocaine, and 3.5% use some form of stimulant.  Many different drug prevention methods are being practiced in Alberta, but it is clear more should be done. There are those who feel that parental supervision is directly related to some of this substance abuse, while others feel that these youth think highly of their drug-using peers, making it easy to introduce them to drugs at that point.  Drug education and drug prevention is continuing in Alberta, and for the most part has had some affect on the problem. 

The province faces many different drug problems, with crack cocaine and methamphetamines being some of the most abused.  When youth start using these drugs, they only increase their chances of developing long-term addictions.  They also put themselves at greater health risks at a younger age.  Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol are marketed quite well, and many adolescents and even pre-adolescents see this and think it is the social norm.  This is where effective drug education and drug prevention will help.  This is one of the most important steps in preventing the youth of today from becoming dependent on drugs and alcohol.  For more information call the Narconon drug rehab at, 1-877-782-7409, or visit the website at, http://narconon.ca/

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