Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Airdrie Echo Contact: http://www.airdrieecho.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558 Author: Paul Wells DRUG USE MONITORED Airdrie Echo -- The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) will survey Grades 7-12 students every two years in an effort to monitor the status of drug and alcohol use in that age group. "If AADAC staff can see what road youth are taking, we can plan for treatment needs in the near future and we can refine our prevention programs to help influence young people to make better choices in the long term," AADAC said in a report. In its first survey, AADAC found that of the 3,400 Grade 7 to 12 students in Alberta polled, 56 per cent of respondents said they had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months. In comparative studies, nearly 66 per cent of Ontario students and 52 per cent of those polled in Nova Scotia admitted the same. As well, more Alberta teens smoke crack and chew tobacco than those in the other provinces, while less experimented with marijuana, magic mushrooms, crystal meth, ecstasy and cocaine. "The overall vision of the survey was to get a picture of Alberta youth as they are today and try to envision the adults they may become," said the AADAC report. The survey also examined risk factors associated with developing substance abuse or gambling problems. Lack of parental support, a family history of addiction and poor school performance are among the risks. Good parental monitoring, participation in positive extracurricular activities and being surrounded by positive peers were listed as protective factors. All of which comes as no surprise to the Airdrie Youth Justice Committee, which is sponsoring two upcoming seminars designed to educate parents and educators on street drugs. "We wanted to take a preventative approach with the Youth Justice Committee on a topic that doesn't get much attention," said committee spokesperson Diana Lebedeff. "The purpose of the seminars is to educate parents and teachers on drug awareness and drug prevention," she added. Although quick to note that street drugs are likely a far more rampant problem in larger cities, Lebedeff said Airdrie is not immune. "Drugs are everywhere, though to what extent is unclear," she said. "These seminars are more preventive as opposed to being reactionary down the road." Retired police officer Steve Walton, who served 25 years on the Calgary Police Service drug unit, will share his considerable expertise on the matter as the presenter of the seminars. The free seminars will take place Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 at Bert Church Theatre. Both start at 7 p.m. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh