Cfi£OH Government Publications tf$S 1 .acrol Dt, 7 !)' r;\li = u suu o Cl ! J JJ !) J i'j 0 Cl DETAILED Drug Use OSDUS FINDINGS Among Ontario Students 1977-2003 CAMH Research Document Series No. 13 Edward M. Adlaf Angela Paglia Centre fofAddiction and Mental Health Centrede toxicomanieet desante mentale APan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Collaborating Centre Affiliated with the UniversityofToronto Drug Use Among Ontario Students 1977-2003 DETAILED OSDUS FINDINGS ISBN 0-88868-466-5 Printed in Canada © Copyright 2003 Centre forAddiction and Mental Health Individuals and school or health organizations are invited to photocopy, in partor in whole, the contents ofthis report. Citation is appreciated. For information on otherCentre forAddiction and Mental Health resource materials, or to place an order, please contact: Marketing and Sales Services Centre forAddiction and Mental Health 33 Russell Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2S1 Tel.: 1 800 661-1111 or 416 595-6059 in Toronto E-mail: [email protected] Web www.camh.net site: 2874o / 10-03 PR034 1 The 2003 OSDUS Drug Report Summary Executive The CentreforAddictionandMental Health’s Research, YorkUniversity. Thisreportdescribes OntarioStudentDrug Use Survey (OSDUS), is druguse in2003 andchanges since 1977. Data the longestongoingschool survey ofadolescents are providedfortwo groups ofstudents: those in inCanada. The study, which spansovertwo grades 7to 12, andthose in grades 7, 9, and 1 decades, is basedon 14 surveys conducted every only. The first group is usedto assess current twoyears since 1977. In the spring of2003, and short-term druguse trends (1999-2003), and 6,616 students (72%ofselected students) in the second is used toassess long-term trends grades 7to 12from 37 school boards, 126 (1977-2003). All dataare based on self-reports schoolsand383 classesparticipated in the derivedfrom anonymous questionnaires survey administeredby die Institutefor Social administered in classrooms. Past Year Drug Use (%) by Total, Sex, and Grade, 2003 OSDUS Total Males Females G7 liesi G9 G10 : <311 G12 Alcohol 66.2 68.3 64.3 * 39.1 48.9 65.1 75.1 79.9 82.5 * Cannabis 29.6 30.9 28.3 6.2 10.7 27.9 35.9 45.0 44.8 * BingeDrinking 26.5 29.4 23.8 * 5.8 7.7 23.5 29.8 40.9 45.2 * Cigarettes 19.2 18.0 20.3 4.4 10.2 17.0 21.8 28.3 30.2 * Hallucinogens 10.0 12.1 8.0 * j 1.8 2.6 7.8 12.5 17.4 15.3 * Solvents 6.1 5.9 63 10.2 9.5 63 4.2 3.6 3.9 * Stimulants(NM) 5.8 4.7 6.7 * 1.6 3.7 5.6 6.6 8.2 7.8 Cocaine 4.8 5.4 4.3 3.1 1.9 4.9 4.6 6.9 6.7 * Ecstasy(MDMA) 4.1 4.2 3.9 0.5 0.8 3.7 4.6 6.6 7.2 * Methamphetamine 3.3 3.8 2.9 1.0 0.9 3.8 4.2 5.4 3.6 * LSD 2.9 3.5 2.3 * 0.7 1.1 3.7 4.2 4.0 2.7 * Ritalin (NM) 2.9 3.4 2.5 1.2 1.2 3.0 3.3 5.0 3.1 * Glue 2.8 3.0 2.6 5.2 3.2 2.4 2.4 2.3 1.8 * Crack 2.7 2.8 2.6 ; 1.7 1.7 3.1 3.0 3.6 2.5 Barbiturates (NM) 2.5 2.6 2.5 1.8 2.2 3.0 2.8 3.1 1.8 PCP 2.2 2.9 i.6 : * 1.3 0.8 2.1 3.6 2.6 2.7 * Tranquillizers (NM) 2.2 2.7 1.8 * 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 4.1 2.7 * Ketamine 2.2 3.0 1.6 1.0 s 1.7 1.6 4.7 3.7 * Rohypnol 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.4 2.0 2.3 1.3 Heroin 1.4 1.9 0.9 ! * 1.4 0.8 1.5 2.0 1.3 1.1 Ice 1.2 1.3 1.0 1.2 0.8 1.3 1.0 1.1 1.5 GHB 0.7 0.8 0.6 s s s 0.9 1.7 s AnyIllicit, including 32.2 33.1 31.3 10.1 13.9 29.6 38.6 47.5 47.1 * cannabis AnyIllicit, excluding 15.3 16.6 14.2 * 6.6 8.0 13.0 18.0 21.7 22.3 * cannabis Steroids (lifetime) 3.0 4.4 1.7 * 0-7 1.8 1.6 3.8 4.6 5.3 * Notes: bingedrinking(5+ drinksononeoccasion)referstothepast41weekstimeperiod;NM=non-medica] use; s=estimate suppressed; * indicatesasignificantasexdifference, orgradedifferences(p<05),notcontrollingforotherfactors. The2003OSDUSDrugReport: 1 CAMH ExecutiveSummary 2003 Subgroup Differences (G7-12) Short-Term Changes, 1999 - 2003 (G7-12) Males aremore likely thanfemalestouse 7 drugs: alcohol, LSD, PCP, other There have been significantchanges in druguse hallucinogens, tranquillizers. Ketamine, and between 1999 and 2003, mostofwhichhave heroin. Males are also more likely tobinge beendeclines: drink, andgenerally to use any illicitdrug, excluding cannabis. Females are more likely Cigarettes: from 28%to 19% touse stimulants (e.g., dietpills). LSD: from 6.8%to 2.9% Hallucinogens: from 12.8%to 10.0% Druguse variesby grade. With the Methamphetamine: from 5.0%to 3.3% exception ofinhalants (glue andsolvents)- Barbiturates: from 4.4%to 2.5% whichdeclinesby grade level-drug use is lowestamong T^-gradersandhighestamong Use ofany illicitdrug, excluding cannabis, 11th-and n^-graders. Aprominent grade significantly decreasedbetween 1999 (20%) patternreflectsasizeablejump in the and2003 (15%). likelihood ofdruguse between grade 8and grade 9. Cocaine use increasedoverthe short-term, from 3.4%in 1999 to4.8% in2003. Regional differences existfor5 drug use measures (cigarette smoking, binge drinking, use ofstimulants, hallucinogens, Subgroup Changes, 1999 - 2003 andRitalin). Students fromToronto are least (G7-12) likely touse these drugs,whereasNorthern students are most likely. Studentsfrom the With the exceptionofcannabis use (which EastandWestdo notdifferfrom the increased amongfemales); cocaine use (which province asawhole. increasedamong H^-graders, andNorthern students); and crack use (which increasedamong Northern students), mostsubgroup changes Changes Between 2001 and 2003 between 1999 and 2003 show decreases in use. (G7-12) Sex Males show decreases in cigarette : The escalating trendin druguse, whichbegan in smoking, useofmethamphetamine, LSD, theearly 1990s,has generally subsided. ecstasy, and any illicitdrug (excluding cannabis). No drug increasedamongmales. Between 2001 and2003, the pastyearuse of5 Females show decreases in cigarette measures significantly decreased: smoking, use ofbarbiturates, LSD, and any illicitdrug (excludingcannabis). Cigarettes: from 23.1%to 19.2% Ecstasy: from 6.0% to 4.1% Grade Among S^-graders, 5 drug use : LSD: from 4.8% to 2.9% measuresdeclined (cigarettes, LSD, other Barbiturates: from 4.0%to 2.5% hallucinogens, ecstasy, and any illicitdrug excluding cannabis); 4 declined among 9th- The use ofany illicitdrug, excluding graders (cigarettes, LSD, ecstasy, and any cannabis, also declined, from 18%to 15%. illicitdrug excluding cannabis); 5 declined among 1O^-graders (cigarettes, barbiturates, LSD, otherhallucinogens, and any illicit drug); 3 declined among ll^-graders (cigarettes, LSD, and any illicit drug u . 5) excludingcannabis); and 2 declinedamong LowandStable: n^-graders (methamphetamine andLSD). Heroin Region There were 4 decreases among PCP : studentsinNorthern Ontario (cigarettes, Methamphetamines barbiturates, LSD, and any illicitdrug excludingcannabis). In WesternOntario, cigarette smoking, use ofLSD, ecstasy, and any illicitdrug decreased. In Eastern Other Highlights Ontario, cigarette smoking, LSD use and any illicitdruguse declined. No short-term Patterns ofUse changes occurred among Toronto students. Abouttwo-thirds (68%) ofstudentshave not usedany illicitdrug, including cannabis, in the pastyear. Conversely, 32% ofstudents Long-Term Changes, 1977 - 2003 have usedan illicitdrug, includingcannabis. (G7, 9,11 only) Aboutone-third (30%) ofstudentsdonot There are 5 general patternsthatdescribe the consume any substance, includingalcohol or long-term trends in druguse: tobacco, andanotherthird (31%) consume only alcohol. 1) Decreased during the 1980s, increasedduringthe 1990s, Currently One-in-ten (10%) students reportusing Stable, butElevated: alcohol, tobacco, cannabis andat leastone illicitdrug. Alcohol Binge Drinking The percentage reporting first-time drug use Inhalants during the pastyearis as follows: 19%for Cannabis alcohol, 10%forcannabis, 9%for Ecstasy cigarettes, and 5%forillicitdrugs otherthan Hallucinogens cannabis. 2) Decreased during the 1980s, Increasedduring the 1990s, Currently on Age ofFirst Use a Downward Trend: The average age atwhich students smoke Cigarettes theirfirstwhole cigarette iscurrently about LSD age 13. Thisaverage age has increased smce theearly 1980s, when itwasage 11 3) Decreasedduring the 1980s, Upward movement duringthe 1990s: The average age offirstalcohol use isabout age 13, andhas not showedany major Cocaine fluctuations overthe pasttwo decades. Crack The average age offirstcannabisuse is 4) Decreased during the 1980s, Stable currently about 14. Historically, this onset duringthe 1990s: age increased throughoutthe 1980s and early 1990s, and then decreased again in Stimulants recentyears. Tranquillizers Barbiturates The2003OSDUSDrugReport: iii CAMH ExecutiveSummary Perceptions ofRiskandDisapproval Aboutone-quarter(28%) ofstudents believe Amongthe drugbehaviours surveyed, thatdrug use isabigproblem in their studentsfeltthatthe greatestriskofharm is school,while abouthalf(51%) say itisa associatedwithregularmarijuanause small problem and 21% say itisnota (55%),followedby tryingecstasy (40%), problem. tryingcocaine (34%), trying LSD (32%), daily drinking (31%), smoking 1 or2 Aboutone-third (32%) ofstudents report cigarettes daily (24%), and trying cannabis exposure todrug selling intheir (19%). neighbourhood inthepastyear. The proportionofstudents observingdrug Compared to2001, therewas a significant sellingintheirneighbourhoodhas increase in 2003 intheperceptionofgreat significantly increased since 1995. risk intrying ecstasy (32%vs40%). There was alsoaparallel increase in the percentage Justoverone-third (37%) reportthat thatstrongly disapproves oftrying ecstasy someone triedto sell them drugs inthe past (39%vs49%). year. Since the early 1990s, riskperceptions surroundingmostsubstance use (except Cigarettes Overview ecstasy) have gradually weakened, especially regarding cannabis. In 2003, 19%ofstudents report smoking duringthe pastyear (about 185,100 students). Overtheirlifetime, 57%of AvailabilityofDrugs studentshave neversmoked, 15% smokeda few puffsonly, while 10%smoked 100or more cigarettes in their lifetime. In 2003, the substancesmostavailableto studentsare alcohol (66% ofstudents indicatedthatitwouldbe “easy” or“very Pastyearsmoking doesnotdifferbetween malesandfemales. There are significant easy” to get) andcannabis (51%). Cocaine (21%), ecstasy (20%) and LSD (16%) are differences by grade (varyingfrom 4% of 7th-graders to 30%ofH^-graders). There reported as less available. arealso regional differences, withNorthern The reportedavailability ofLSD students (24%)mostlikely to smoke, while Toronto students (16%) are least likely. significantly decreasedbetween 1999 (25%) and2003 (16%). Similarly, the availability About 14%ofstudents smoke on adaily ofecstasy significantly decreased between basis. On average, smokers consume 5 2001 (27%) and2003 (20%). cigarettesdaily. Thereportedavailability ofcannabis, as Aboutone-quarter (23%) ofsmokers report well as cocaine, has significantly increased dependence on cigarettes, as defined by since 1989. smokingwithin30minutes ofwaking inthe morning. SchoolandNeighbourhood In 2003, 62%ofall smokersreportedan attemptto quitsmoking during theyear Abouthalf (53%) ofstudents believe that before the survey. druguse in theirschool ishighertoday than afewyears ago (16% stated itwas the same In 2003, 9%ofunderage students (under 19 and31% said itwas lower). years ofage) successfully purchased The2003OSDUSDrugReport: IV CAMH ExecutiveSummary 1 1 cigarettesatleastonceduringthe month Use ofcannabis 6 ormore times inthe past before the survey. year, as well asdaily cannabis use, have been on an upward trend since 1989. Alcohol Overview One-in-ten (10%) cannabis usersreporta significant level ofdependence symptoms. In 2003, abouttwo-thirds (66%) ofall studentsreportdrinkingduring thepastyear, and 69%reportdrinking duringtheir Consequences and Problems Related lifetime. Malesare more likely to drinkthan to Alcohol and Other Drug Use arefemales (68%vs 64%). Pastyear drinkingvaries by grade (increasingfrom Drugsand Vehicles 39%of7th-graders toabout80%of 1 th-and n^-graders). There are no significant Aboutone-in-seven (14%) licensed drivers regional differences. in grades 10to 12 reportdriving within an hourofconsuming two ormore drinks. The In 2003, 18%ofdrinkers (12%ofall percentage drinkinganddriving remained students) drinkalcohol at leastonceaweek, stable between 2001 and 2003. However, and less than 1%drink onadaily basis. drinkinganddriving among studentshas significantly declined since 1977. Aboutone-quarter(26%) ofstudents report binge drinking (5+ drinkson one occasion) Aboutone-in-five (20%) drivers in grades atleastonce during the month before the 10to 12 reported drivingavehicle within A survey. similarproportion (24%) report one hourofusing cannabis duringthe past getting drunk atleastonce during this time. year. Thus, the percentage ofdrivers reportingcannabis and driving is slightly Also, about 15% ofdrinkersreportbinge higherthan the percentage reporting drinking 2 to 3 timesduring themonth drinking anddriving. before the survey, and another 10%report doing sofourormore times. Aboutone-quarter(29%) ofstudents in grades 7to 12 reportbeingapassengerina vehicle driven by someone who had been Cannabis Overview drinkingalcohol, and 23%report being a passenger in avehicle driven by someone Justunderone-in-three (30%) studentsused whohadbeen usingdrugspriorto driving cannabis in thepastyear, and 34%report using atleastonce in their lifetime. Cannabisuse doesnotsignificantly differ AlcoholProblems between males (31%) andfemales (28%), nboyrgbryadreeg(iforno.mU6se%doofe7sths-iggrnaidfeircsanttoly4d5i%ffeorf In 2003, 19%ofstudents (27%ofdrinkers) 1 th-and n^-graders). rpeeprocretntdargienkrienpgreastehnatzianrgdsoousmele1ve8l6s,,7a00 On average, cannabis users consumed students. Hazardousdrinking varies significantly between males and females cannabis 16 times during theyearbefore the (21%vs 17%), and by grade (4%of7th- survey. About 14% ofusers (4% ofall graders to 33% ofH^-graders). There is no students) used cannabisdaily during the significantdifference by region. month before the survey. The2003OSDUSDrugReport: V CAMH ExecutiveSummary 1 1 Drug Problems alcohol orcannabis duringthemonthbeforethe survey. Justunderone-in-five (18%) studentsreport symptoms ofadrug use problem. There is no significantsex orregional difference Although monitoring surveys such asthe regardingdruguse problems. However, OntarioStudentDrug UseSurveyare effective there is a significantgrade difference: inidentifying trends in drug use, they arenot reports are lowestamong 7th-and S^-graders designedto identify the rootcauses ofsuch (about 7%) andhighestamong 1 th-and change. The importance ofsuch studies, H^-graders (about27%). however, remains critical. They provide scientifically-based, timely datawhich, notonly In 2003, 1.4%ofstudents indicatedthatthey informs policy-makersand prevention receivedeitheralcohol and/ordrug programmers, butproviderelevantmonitoring treatment in the pastyear. This estimate dataneeded to evaluate the successes and representsabout 13,100Ontario students in failuresofpublic health objectives, and grades 7to 12. preventionprograms andcampaigns. CoexistingHazardous Drinking and ElevatedPsychological Distress Aboutone-in-twelve (8% or 81,100Ontario students) report both hazardous drinking and elevatedpsychological distress (i.e., symptoms ofanxiety and depression). Femalesare more likely than males toreport these coexisting problems (10% vs 6%). There is significant variation by grade: from 2%of7th-graders increasingto 13%of1 th- and n^-graders. There is no significant regional variation. Health Objectives Two healthobjectives, recently established by healthauthorities, are related to the OSDUS. Thefirst, regarding cigarette smoking, recommends thatteen smoking shouldnot exceed 10%by 2005. The 2003 OSDUSfound thatabout 14% ofstudents in grades 7to 12 smoke cigarettes ona daily basis. The second, regarding alcohol and illicitdrug use, recommends thatthe percentage of adolescents who useno alcohol orillicitdrugs in the past30days should be 89% orhigherby the year2010. The 2003 OSDUSfoundthatonly 50%ofstudents in grades 7 to 12 did notuse The2003OSDUSDrugReport: CAMH ExecutiveSummary