What the Health Unit is Doing | What Parents Can Do
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Injury is the leading cause of death and disability for Canadian youth. However most “accidents” are actually predictable and preventable events. |
A Snapshot of What's Happening in Our Community:
Northwestern Ontario Student Drug Use Survey (NWOSDUS)
In 2005, the TBDHU did a survey of alcohol, tobacco and drug use among students. The survey shows that youth in Northwestern Ontario use more alcohol, marijuana and tobacco than youth elsewhere in the province. Results from the survey include:
Marijuana
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Grade 9 is when the most youth (28%) try marijuana for the first time;
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31% of all youth (both males and females) used marijuana at least once during the past 12 months.
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Marijuana use goes up with each grade; in Grade 8, 10% of students use marijuana, but by Grade 12, 55% use it.
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The number of teens using marijuana has dropped from 37% in 2001 to 31% in 2005, compared to the provincial rate of 27% overall.
Alcohol
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66% of students report drinking alcohol in the 12 months before the survey, compared to 62% provincially.
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Both males and females drink. There is not a big difference between male and female drinking rates.
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32% of Grade 7 students reported drinking alcohol. In Grade 9, 64% drink, and by Grade 12, 90% of students drink.
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Of real concern is the rate of binge drinking, which is defined as having 5 or more drinks on any one occasion. Overall, 34% of students reported binge drinking, with no difference between males and females. This rate is significantly higher than the provincial rate of 23%. The rates of binge drinking go up from Grade 7 (6%) to Grade 12 (65%).
Methamphetamine
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There has been quite a lot of media coverage about methamphetamine, but only 4% of young people in our region use it. Methamphetamine is used mainly by older students.
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The rate of use is much higher in Northwestern Ontario than in the rest of the province, where only 1% of youth use methamphetamine.
Cocaine
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5.8% of students overall used cocaine in the 12 months before the survey.
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Use of cocaine is significantly related to grade level: Less than 1% of grade 7 students used but over 16 of students in Grade 12 had used cocaine.
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More youth in Grades 10-12 use cocaine now, compared to rates in 2001.Use of cocaine is the same here as it is in the rest of Ontario.
Other Substances
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About 6% of students reported using ecstasy over the past 12 months. This is not much different from youth across the province.
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Youth are more likely to use hallucinogens (acid, mushrooms) in Northwestern Ontario than in other parts of the province.
View the NWOSDUS Executive Summary for more information about the Northwestern Ontario Student Drug Use Survey.
Further information about Alcohol, Marijuana and other Drugs at the Health Unit's Safety, Drugs and Alcohol pages.
The Health Unit's Youth Injury Prevention Program teaches parents and youth how to prevent injuries by taking control of situations and being proactive.
Natural Helpers Peer Mentor Project
The Peer Mentor Program provides a safe and supportive school environment by identifying and training youth that act as “Natural Helpers” to their peers. The program supports youth in dealing with issues that contribute to alcohol and substance use, such as academic pressure, depression and other mental health issues.
Four city high schools have the Natural Helpers Program. Students select peers that they turn to for help through a school-wide survey. The Helpers receive training on helping and self-care skills as well as other topics that the students have said concern them. The helpers meet weekly for support. They are also supported by the school social worker. The youth learn how and when to refer their friends to adults for extra care. Results from the first year show that youth do seek support often from their “Natural Helper” peers and that the Helpers were able to refer their peers for adult or professional help at the right times.
We support teachers in educating youth through presentations, curriculum support and media campaigns. We provide teachers with information about alcohol, substances, and the pressures that contribute to use.
Safe Party Project
The Safe Party Project began as an adult-led, one day event for graduating students. It featured speakers, workshops and activities that promoted safer alcohol and substance use. It evolved to use the successful approach of peer education. Working with Grade 12 students, the one-day education session was designed to educate Grade 9 students about a variety of topics related to alcohol and substance use, including sexuality, depression, peer pressure, prejudice and impaired driving. The students select speakers, venues and act as media spokespeople.
The project was so successful that other schools began to hold their own safe parties. The TBDHU developed the Safe Party Binder to help teachers and schools host a Safe Party Workshop of their own. High schools across the District have also received the planning tool.
Information about safe parties and the Ultimate Party Pact is available at: http://www.tbdhu.com/Safety/Drugs/ParentHelp.htm
Impaired Driving
The Community Traffic Awareness Committee (CTAC) in partnership with the Drug Awareness Committee (DAC) of Thunder Bay has created several media campaigns and events to prevent impaired driving. Themes have included the dangers of impaired driving and the loss of freedom and mobility due to financial or legal outcomes. These campaigns have also shown the impairing effects of substances besides alcohol.
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Taking risks and using alcohol and drugs are ways that youth put themselves at risk for injury:
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Every 45 minutes, a driver in Ontario is involved in an alcohol-related collision.
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Alcohol is a factor in over 40% of recreational boating deaths in Canada.
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For up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana, a person’s ability to drive a vehicle safely can be seriously impaired. Alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and the ability to react quickly are all distorted. |
CTAC and DAC also helped to bring “TRUTH”, the most recent MADD multi-media presentation, to the district. 2,500 students were able to see this moving presentation.
The Health Unit helps youth make safer and healthier choices about substance and alcohol use by giving them opportunities to work with their peers and share their insights and wisdom with one another. We also work closely with other community partners--Thunder Bay Police, OPP, Fire and Rescue, Canadian Red Cross--who have a vested interest in injury prevention.
We work in partnership with the Drug Awareness Committee of Thunder Bay to ensure that youth and parents are aware of the risks of substance and alcohol use. We do this through media campaigns that are planned for and by youth.
More information about impaired driving and the Health Unit's Injury Prevention programs is available at: http://www.tbdhu.com/Safety/VehicleSafety/impairedDriving.htm
Workplace Safety
The TBDHU works with community organizations that deal with injury prevention in the workplace.
Many young people are reluctant and fearful of talking to their parents about sensitive issues such as sex, drugs and alcohol...and these same young people also face the same issue in their jobs. Many youth believe that asking questions shows weakness and all they want to do is be successful and fit in. Unfortunately, if they are not armed with the correct information, the risk is high and the cost is them becoming injured sometimes fatally at their workplaces.
Find out what you need to know about workplace health for youth at these websites:
www.youngworker.ca
www.prevent-it.ca
www.iapa.ca
www.passporttosafety.ca
www.wsib.on.ca
Responsible Host Guidelines
The TBDHU promotes the Responsible Host Guidelines. We provide parents with resources on how to talk to their children about alcohol and substance use. Find out more at www.tbdhu.com/Safety/Alcohol/ResponsibleHost.
Take A Break with Your Kid
Youth who have parents or caregivers that are actively involved in their lives are less likely to use alcohol and substances. We encourage parents to stay involved. Find out more about staying involved at www.takeabreakwithyourkid.ca The Take a Break with Your Kid campaign offers tips on how parents can spend time connecting with their children.
We are committed to working with youth to help prevent disease and tragedy that are related to the misuse of substances. We have great concern about the high rates of alcohol use, and are committed to helping our youth learn about the dangers of heavy drinking and to learning how to protect themselves and their friends. Together, we can help the youth of Thunder Bay protect their future.
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Always stay involved in your teen's life. Know who their friends are, where they hang out and talk to their friend's parents. Encourage your child to join after-school programs, like sports or youth groups. |
Talk to your teen! The most important thing you can do is to talk to your child. Tell your teen about people in your life who were injured by impaired driving.
Be a good role model. Your children learn by what they see. Drink responsibly. Set a good example by not abusing other substances or driving while impaired.
Repeat important messages. As your child grows from elementary school to high school, keep talking about the risks of using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Repeating this message shows your child that it is important and increases the chances that they will remember it.
Discuss other options. Help your child have a plan to get home that isn’t getting into a car with an impaired driver. Remind him that impairment can be from drugs as well as alcohol.
Be open to acting as your child’s designated driver. Many teens say they would like to call their parents for a ride after a party. When your teen calls for a ride, it shows he is responsible. If you stay calm, avoid getting angry and don’t judge your teen harshly, he/she’ll likely call you again.
Educate your children about media. Point out images that glamorize drinking, and substance use in advertising, television and films.
Set agreed upon rules with your child. Talk about the consequences of breaking the rules and follow through when the rules are broken. Remember too, that it is just as important to reward your child when they behave appropriately.
Be a good listener. Respect what your child has to say. Ask open questions that invite conversation to avoid the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answer.
Practice communication skills with your teens. Help them learn how to say ‘no’ to activities and situations that make them feel uncomfortable. This prepares them when faced with peer pressure.
Learn the signs of alcohol and drug abuse. Be alert for changes in behaviour or appearance. Find out more at www.tbdhu.com/Safety/Drugs/
Ask for assistance. Get help with your child if you see they have a drug problem.
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