FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A joint release from Thunder Bay District Health Unit And Northwestern Health Unit
February 21, 2006

Northwestern Ontario student tobacco use has declined by more than one third, from 29% to 18%, since 2001, bringing it closer into line with provincial statistics. Alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens and some hard drug use remain well above provincial rates. Of most concern is the evidence that points to significantly higher and more dangerous levels of alcohol consumption by Northwestern Ontario students, especially higher rates of youth drinking & driving.

Statistics outlining drug use for students in grades 7 through 12 were released today during a multi-site video-conference held in Thunder Bay, Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden.

"We are very gratified to see the drop in youth smoking," says Lee Sieswerda, Epidemiologist at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and author of the study. "We think it is a combined result of anti-smoking initiatives at the local, provincial and federal levels and changing community standards."

"One of the main strategies we've been using to combat smoking is youth peer leadership. Today, we heard from people who are able to see the success of this strategy," says Hilary Mettam, Coordinator, Rainy River District SAP Team. "We need to adopt these same strategies to reduce hazardous drinking and substance use patterns."

The news conference featured youth who are working with their peers to change the attitudes and habits of their peers:
o The Natural Helpers Peer Mentor Project identifies teens who students say they turn to and gives them training ans support to assist them in their natural roles.
o Youth Action Alliances are young people whose mission is to expose the tobacco industry and encourage youth to stand up against being recruited as customers of that industry.
o OSAID (Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving) is made up of a group of young people who plan and implement activities in their high school to raise awareness about issues related to drinking and driving.

Past Student Drug Use surveys were done in 2001 and 1997. This localized survey is funded by the Northwestern Health Unit, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Thunder Bay Drug Awareness Committee, Rainy River District SAP coalition, and FOCUS Coalitions in Red Lake/Ear Falls, Ignace, and Ogden-East End in Thunder Bay. The NWOSDUS is based on the methodology of the biennial province-wide OSDUS conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The executive summary of the study will be posted at the health unit website www.tbdhu.com resources section. The full report will be posted within a month.

-30-