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Youth Drug Use  – Use of Illegal Drugs

 This pages introduces the reader to several illegal drugs, including marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamines.

 Marijuana 

Marijuana (including cannabis, hashish and hash oil) is the most commonly used illegal drug by young people everywhere. Marijuana has been the subject of controversy for several decades, but never more so than in recent months. The current debate around the appropriate place of marijuana in Canadian society has revealed some deeply held and opposing values that can sometimes overshadow clear thinking and balanced information.

Why many young people use marijuana

Today's young people are growing up in a world that tolerates more forms of substance use, both medical and non-medical, than at any other time in history. The powerful marketing capacities of the tobacco and alcohol industries, and their focus on the youth market, add to this environment. Finally, an unprecedented ease of access to various media has meant that more young people than ever are "consuming" a pop culture that tends to tolerate or even promote substance use.

Drug use is nothing new. People have used a wide variety of substances throughout history to satisfy some sort of need, ranging from enhancing pleasure, to relieving stress and coping with long hours of work. Young people use substances for many of the same reasons as adults, but there are special pressures associated with normal adolescent development - and the search for identity - that help to explain the popularity of marijuana today. Research demonstrates that adolescents may use marijuana as a way of ?

-            demonstrating independence;

-            developing values distinct from parental and societal authority;

-            developing strong peer bonds;

-            seeking novel and exciting experiences;

-            taking risks and satisfying curiosity.

 The motivation to use marijuana is reinforced by the spirit of the times, which one commentator has described as "a runaway world" filled with uncertainty and a lack of direction.

Marijuana use by Canadian teens among the highest in the world

Although the "legal" drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are more popular, marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug by young people around the world. Marijuana use represents about 90% of all illicit drug use among students in the US and Australia, and almost 95% in Europe. Nowhere is marijuana more popular among students than in Canada. Canadian youth (along with youth in Australia, France, Ireland, UK and the US) are among the highest consumers of marijuana in the world.

 Ecstasy

 Ecstasy is a drug with both hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. Its chemical name is MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Along with other similar substances, Ecstasy is often called a 'club drug' because of its popularity at raves. 

Short-Term Effects

 The effects of Ecstasy usually start within an hour, and generally last four to six hours. Ecstasy users can feel happy, full of energy and sociable. They may feel a sense of well-being and closeness to others around them.  However, Ecstasy users may also experience:

Sweating, increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased body temperature, nausea and vomiting , grinding of the teeth and jaw pain, anxiety or panic attacks and blurred vision

There is also the potential for serious side effects such as confusion, panic, insomnia and paranoia  These symptoms can last for days or even weeks.

 Ecstasy often produces a 'hangover' which also can last several days. Symptoms may include depression, drowsiness, muscle aches, poor appetite, sleeplessness and poor concentration. Long-term use of Ecstasy has not been thoroughly documented. However, we do know tolerance develops in regular users. This means they need more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

 Ecstasy usually comes in gelatin capsules or tablets. It can also come in a powder, which is snorted or dissolved and injected.

 Raves

 Dancing at all night raves combined with heat, heavier sweating, and failure to drink enough fluids can produce an even greater risk of harm associated with Ecstasy. Ecstasy interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature. It has been involved in deaths due to kidney or cardiovascular failure brought on by a very high body temperature and dehydration.

 Cocaine

 There is little current information on the prevalence of cocaine use in the general Canadian population, but it is assumed to be very low (e.g., under 1% of the population reported ever using cocaine in 1994). Rates are higher among males and young people. All available reports indicate that fewer than 5% of Grade 7-12 students have used cocaine in the past year (and fewer still report use of crack). However, rates increase through the high school years (e.g., 7% of Grade 11 students in Ontario report past-year use of cocaine). The prevalence of crack and cocaine use by street youth in various cities is much higher than student use, having been estimated at 31% for both crack and cocaine in Toronto (1992), 20% and 33%, respectively, in Halifax (1993), and 85% for cocaine in Vancouver (1994). 

Amphetamines

 Current information on rates of non-medical stimulant use in the general Canadian population is not available; however it is likely relatively low. In 1994, 2.1% of Canadians 15 years and older reported ever using speed or amphetamines. Among Canadian high school populations, rates of past-year use of amphetamines range from 6.2% to 11%, while rates of past-year non-medical Ritalin® (methylphenidate) use range from 2.8% to 7.5%. About 4% of Ontario students report using methamphetamine (i.e., speed) in the past year, with a much smaller number using ice (a smokable form of methamphetamine). Less than 2% of Canadian university students reported past-year use of methamphetamines. 

What Parents Can Do about Illegal Drug Use 

If a person has not used marijuana or other substances during their adolescent years, it is unlikely they will do so in the years following. Those who do use during adolescence tend to "binge" or use to intoxication. This pattern of use tends to fall off with the demands of adulthood, particularly a job and family. Knowing that, parents may wish to adopt an attitude toward marijuana and other drug use that places the greatest emphasis on helping their child to get through adolescence safely. 

Some quick tips:

 Strive for a "middle path" in parenting your teen, being neither overly restrictive nor overly lax. Be aware of your own relationship with intoxicants, and show a readiness to make healthy choices;

 Look for natural opportunities to discuss substance use issues; use occasions when the child has been or may be in a drug-using situation as an opportunity to discuss their use or non-use. In discussion, bear in mind:

-             listen to your child: their perceptions are the reality that must be addressed;

-             help them with their "decisional balance" by weighing perceived benefits against risks; use this article as a reference;

-             young people are influenced by their perception of what is "normal". Point out that although it may seem "everyone" is using marijuana, the majority in most schools and grades do not use marijuana.

 Consider a harm reduction approach with your teen. That is, point out your preference that they not use marijuana or other substances at all, but identify drug-using situations that are particularly unsafe and really need to be avoided (for example, using around driving and sexual situations, using to the point of intoxication, using in combination with other substances or medications, or while involved in physical or cognitive activity). 

Be alert to problems:

-             early use (under the age of 14) may be a signal that there are other issues and problems that need to be dealt with;

-             declining school marks and reduced interest in school; this should be viewed as a red flag for a number of possible problems, including drug use, that need to be followed up with the school;

-             changes in drug use; if for example, using to intoxication appears to be increasing or occurring regularly, seek the advice of a professional

 What schools can do about illegal drugs 

1. The overall school environment sends messages about the worth of students and the school's interest in promoting their health and safety. Schools need to strive to be an attractive, positive place for all students. These values need to be reflected in school policies that everyone is familiar with.
   
    
2. Pay attention to drug education, using evidence-based programs; many programs in use today are not supported by research; several methods, such as those based on life skills and normative approaches, are showing greater promise. Programs need to be delivered by competent, trained staff who are comfortable with interactive and peer-based approaches.
   
    
3. Identify and provide support to those experiencing difficulties with school and/or with substance use; again it is important to use evidence-based approaches (such as the Opening Doors program developed in this country), taking care to avoid labeling these young people.
   
    
4. Be aware of community resources available for those students who are showing signs of drug dependence.

 Straight Talk about Marijuana
(Health Canada)

Marijuana, is it safe? Canadian Health Network)

How does the drug Ecstasy affect health? (Canadian Health Network)

 How does marijuana affect health? (Canadian Health Network)  

 Canadian Teens Use Marijuana More (Canadian Health Network)

  How can I tell if My Kid is Using Cyrstal Meth (BC Government)

       OxyContin® (Oxycodone Hydrochloride)
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

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