Newfoundland and Labrador - health.gov.nl.ca

1 Newfoundland and Labrador 2012 Student Drug Use Survey HIGHLIGHTS REPORT. Table of Contents Executive 1. Survey 5. Survey 5. Data 6. 7. Comparing Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis 8. Alcohol 10. Tobacco 13. Cannabis 14. Other Drug 15. Illicit drugs other than 15. Non-illicit 16. Alcohol-Related 17. Substance use and 18. Sexual Behaviours and 19. 20. Mental 21. Help 23. School-Based Drug Prevention 25. 26. 28. 30. Appendix A Newfoundland and Labrador Student Drug Use Survey 2012 Report 31. Newfoundland and Labrador 2012 Student Drug Use Survey: Highlights Report i Acknowledgements The 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador Student The 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador Student Drug Drug Use Survey Working Group gratefully Use Survey Working Group members included: acknowledges the help of school districts, principals and teachers of Newfoundland and Labrador .

2 Most Kim Baldwin, Eastern health importantly, a special thank you goes out to the Wayne Bishop, Eastern health students who played a major role in ensuring the Sonya Bowen, Newfoundland and Labrador success of this project. Centre for health Information Steve Conohan, Royal Canadian Mounted The 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador Student Police Drug Use Survey involved collaboration among the Carol Ann Cotter, Department of health and Department of health and Community Services, the Community Services Department of Education and Dalhousie University. David Dyer, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District The Student Drug Use Survey in the Atlantic Kevin Foley, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary provinces was standardized in 1994 under the Ken Fowler, Memorial University leadership of Dr.

3 Christiane Poulin, and previous Nicole Gill, Newfoundland and Labrador Centre surveys were carried out in 1996, 1998, 2003 and for health Information 2007. Leadership for the 2012 survey was provided Ruby Hoskins, Stand Against Drugs by Dr. Mark Asbridge, Associate Professor, and Dr. Herb Maddick, Child Youth and Family Services Don Langille, Professor, Department of Community Kerry Pope, Department of Education health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University. Gina Rideout (Chair), Department of health and Project coordination was provided by Research Community Services Coordinator, Jennifer Cartwright.

4 Drs. Asbridge and Bernie Squires, Department of health and Langille provided data for this summary report. Community Services Additional thanks for providing support for the preparation of the report are extended to the Division of Mental health and Addictions, Department of health and Community Services. Department of health and Community Services Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1st Floor West Block, Confederation Building St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 4J6. Printed in Newfoundland and Labrador This report is available online: ii Newfoundland and Labrador 2012 Student Drug Use Survey: Highlights Report Newfoundland and Labrador 2012 Student Drug Use Survey: Highlights Report iii Executive Summary Introduction Findings The Student Drug Use Survey is an ongoing According to 2012 student responses, of collaborative initiative between all four Atlantic students had not used any substances in the 12.

5 Provinces and has been administered periodically months prior to participating in the survey. This is since 1996. The survey, coordinated by Dalhousie a significant improvement from 1996 ( ) and University, asked students in Grades 7, 9, Level I, 1998 ( ) in the percentage of students who and Level III about their experiences, if any, with choose to abstain. substance use, gambling and associated risk behaviours. Students were also asked questions Alcohol remains the most commonly used about their social and emotional well-being and substance ( ), followed by cannabis ( ). help-seeking behaviours. New to the survey and tobacco use ( ).

6 Were questions about suicide, use of caffeinated energy drinks, use of cough medicine to get high, Alcohol Use mephedrone use, salvia divinorum use, and driving In 2012, 53% of students chose to abstain from under the influence of pain medications. using alcohol in the previous 12 months. This is a significant improvement from 1998 ( ) and This is the fifth administration of the Student Drug 2003 ( ). Use Survey in this province. The results of this survey will be presented along with results from the Overall, in 2012 the average age of first alcohol previous four surveys which were administered in consumption was years of age; indicating a 1996, 1998, 2003, and 2007.

7 Observing provincial slight, although statistically insignificant, delay of trends over time is a valuable exercise that will initiation from years of age in 2007. inform evidence-based prevention and intervention initiatives targeted towards students. In the 30 days before the survey, of students reported consuming five drinks or more in a single sitting. This is not a significant change from 2007. Survey Methodology ( ). Consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting is defined as binge drinking according to The survey was administered to Newfoundland the Public health Agency of Canada (four or more and Labrador students from 126 randomly-selected drinks per sitting among women).

8 Classes from 72 randomly-selected schools. Administration was conducted mainly by school In the 30 days before the survey, of students guidance counsellors who were provided with a reported experiencing drunkenness. This is training webinar and a checklist to ensure proper unchanged from 2007 ( ) and significantly procedures were followed. Participation was higher than students in New Brunswick ( ). voluntary, anonymous and confidential. A total of 2530 students from all regions of the province completed the survey. Newfoundland and Labrador 2012 Student Drug Use Survey: Highlights Report 1. Tobacco Use Sexual Behaviours and Risk Considerations In the 12 months prior to the survey, of 38% of the Newfoundland and Labrador student students were not regular smokers.

9 Cigarette population had vaginal, oral or anal sex in the 12. smoking amongst Newfoundland and Labrador months prior to the survey. 1. Continue to build on partnerships promotion-related initiatives. They maintain students is at its lowest since 1996. and collaboration among government knowledge of best and promising practices of Newfoundland and Labrador students departments, other agencies and and resources; work collaboratively with key The average age of smoking one's first whole reported having vaginal sex and had oral sex other jurisdictions to share and stakeholders such as schools and community cigarette was years in this province; up in the 12 months prior to the survey.

10 Significantly implement evidence based practices groups; assist groups with conducting needs significantly from in 2007. less Newfoundland and Labrador students reported to support early social and emotional assessments and mobilizing community action;. having anal sex ( ) than those reporting vaginal development provide education, training and various activities Cannabis Use or oral sex. aimed at raising awareness of substance abuse 30% of Newfoundland and Labrador students had Early development of skills promoting and mental illness and promoting positive used cannabis in the 12 months prior to the survey.