TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Illicit substance use among Canadian youth: trends between 2002 and 2008
JO  - Canadian journal of public health
A1  - Hammond, David
A1  - Ahmed, Rashid
A1  - Yang, Wiworn Sae
A1  - Brukhalter, Robin
A1  - Leatherdale, Scott
SP  - 7
EP  - 12
VL  - 102
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Substance use among youth is associated with a range of immediate and long-term health risks. The current study sought to characterize early patterns of illicit drug use among Canadian youth. METHODS: Nationally representative surveys were conducted in 2002 (n = 11,757), 2004 (n = 16,705), 2006 (n = 27,030), and 2008 (n = 24,752) with students in grades 7 to 9 as part of Health Canada's Youth Smoking Survey (YSS). In 2008, students in grades 10-12 were also included in the survey (n = 20,673). RESULTS: In 2008, approximately 21% of youth in grades 7-9 reported drinking at least once a month in the past year, 26% reported previous tobacco use, 17% reported trying cannabis, while 13% reported trying another substance, including glue, non-medical use of prescription drugs, hallucinogens, and amphetamines. Compared to 2006, the number of youth in grades 7-9 who reported ever trying glue decreased significantly in 2008, whereas those who reported ever trying MDMA and non-medical use of prescription drugs had increased. Males were significantly more likely to report use for most but not all substances across survey years. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable portion of Canadians aged 13 to 15 reported experimenting with illegal substances. The findings provide the most comprehensive national trends in substance use among young Canadians.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0008-4263
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -