Pubdate: Fri, 26 Feb 2010
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Diane Strandberg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POCOMO SURVEY OF YOUTH COVERS SUBSTANCE USE

A survey of drug use among at-risk youth dispels some scary myths
about crystal meth use in the Tri-Cities.

Meth is the least favoured drug and hard to get, according to the
survey by the PoCoMo Youth Services Society.

The more than 100 youth who responded to the survey handed out at
places where youth hang out last summer said they preferred alcohol,
marijuana and cigarettes.

That would seem to be cause for celebration but PoCoMo executive
director Jerome Bouvier disagrees, noting those substances are
killers, too, because they can shorten lives and destroy dreams.

"It's somewhat frustrating that we tend to focus on the more scary
drugs, yet the ones that are doing the most damage are the more
familiar ones," Bouvier said.

According to research released to The Tri-City News, only 2% of young
people surveyed chose crystal meth as a drug they might use, compared
to 68% who would choose alcohol, 64% who would choose marijuana and
52% who preferred cigarettes. Other drugs of choice were: ecstasy,
26%; mushrooms, 20%; cocaine, 7%; and acid, 10%. Another 11% of survey
respondents didn't answer the question.

Drugs listed as easier to get were: marijuana, 68%; alcohol, 55%; and
cigarettes, 38%. And those listed as dangerous were: crystal meth,
78%; cocaine, 25%; and acid, 27%. Only 6% of respondents said
marijuana was the most dangerous drug while alcohol was listed by 9%
as the most dangerous drug.

For some at-risk youth served by PoCoMo through its outreach youth,
consuming drugs or alcohol is a common occurrence, according to survey
results. More than half - 54% - said they used drugs in the last month
and 41% said they used drugs in the past week. The most popular drugs
were marijuana, 45%; alcohol, 35%; and cigarettes, 26%. But other
drugs are circulating, too; 2% of youth said they used cocaine, 10%
said they'd tried ecstasy, 6% said mushrooms and 2% said they used
crystal meth in the last week or month.

Still, about 41% said they weren't using at all.

Bouvier said the survey results show not all kids are into drugs but
he would like to see more drug education for youth and more honest
discussion about the consequences of drug and alcohol use.

"We need to focus on responsibility, we need to focus on education, we
speak around moderation and appropriateness," Bouvier said, noting
that PoCoMo is in a good place to connect with youth and will be
looking at developing resources that will educate young people more
about drugs they are considering using.

According to the survey, 33% of respondents said they got their
information about drugs from their families, 56% cited schools and
teachers and 43% said their friends were their source of information
about drugs.

. For more information about the survey, contact the PoCoMo Youth
Services Society at 604-525-1888. 
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