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Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership
http://www.odap.org/Default.aspx
- This website has been developed by The Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership (ODAP) and its aim is to increase the awareness of the effects of alcohol and other drugs in communities throughout Ontario by encouraging and supporting the initiatives and programs of Drug Awareness Committees (DACs).
- Campaigns such as Drug Awareness Week are designed to increase awareness of drug and alcohol.
- The Newsletter provides snippets of information such as issues around Marijuana and Driving, but all within the context of the statistics in Ontario. The links are specific to the DACs and the Partnership. However, there is an opportunity for teleconference trainingsessions for those "new to the drug abuse prevention" arena.
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/substan/index_e.html - Health Canada has a comprehensive website with sections specifically addressing substance abuse problems.
- Topics such as a general overview of the problem in Canada, complete with statistics patterns and use are provided. In addition a wealth of surveys from various sources are linked to this site.
- A Just for Your section provides extensive information for parents on the issues of drug abuse and youth.
- One document referenced is "Preventing Substance Use Problems Among Young People" A Compendium of Best Practices. This comprehensive document has valuable information for groups or organizations doing prevention work on this subject. While the information could be useful for parents or youth themselves, it would probably be overlooked due to the length and detail of information provided.
- Within Health Canada?s website is a section specifically designed for youth on this issue called Drug Wise. It can be found at http://drugwise-droguesoisfute.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.asp
RCMP
www.deal.org Appearance wise, this website is wonderful.
It would certainly attract the attention of a
young person. However, it tends to deal with
many topics, and doesn?t give much information
on them. The information related to drugs
and substances is listed below: Drug use can be broken-down into two
groups: legal and illegal. - Legal
These drugs include any drug that is regulated by the Federal Government of Canada. These include (among others) medications, alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine. While all of these drugs are regulated by the Canadian Government, they also have the potential to be abused or used for recreational purposes. - Illegal
These drugs are usually produced (grown or manufactured) for sale on the street. Marijuana, LSD, cocaine and heroin are just a few examples of drugs included in this category. They are produced and used only for recreational purposes.
People use drugs for many reasons including: - For medicinal purposes. (For example, to ease pain or fight infection)
- For relaxation. (Especially in social situations, to lower inhibitions or to make people feel more lively and friendly)
- To cope with or to forget problems.
- For religious or ceremonial purposes.
- For pleasurable sensations.
- For a sense of "belonging" to a certain group.
- Out of curiosity about a drug's effect or a desire to experiment.
Legal Drugs are drugs that are regulated by the Canadian Food and Drug Act and possibly the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Although they can be abused and there are some exceptions, their primary goal is the treatment or prevention of medical conditions.
Illegal drugs can be defined as a chemical or other substance that is ingested in order to produce a mood altering affect. Although some drugs have medical uses, the majority of illegal drugs are used only for recreational purposes. These drugs are considered to be psychoactive (mind altering) and can be broken down into three major categories: stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens. Canada Health Portal
chp-pcs.gc.ca - This website is fabulous in providing a link to helpful Canadian based anti-drug websites which are targeted to specific audiences.
- The site itself does not provide much assistance in giving information related to drug issues, the links serve this purpose.
Public Health Agency of Canada - Canada Health Network
www.canadian-health-network.ca This website, like www.deal.org, has a lot of health related issues jammed packed into one website. A definate advantage of the Canadian Health Network is the wealth of information on specific health related issues. However, the website does not grab the attention of a young person. More color would definately be an asset. While there is ample information on the website, consideration should be given to what appears to be an overload of information on each page. Youth will read snippets of interesting facts, but rarely read pages of information. The following information was found on this website.
Marijuana (including cannabis, hashish and hash oil) is the most commonly used illegal drug by young people everywhere. Marijuana has been the subject of controversy for several decades, but never more so than in recent months. The current debate around the appropriate place of marijuana in Canadian society has revealed some deeply held and opposing values that can sometimes overshadow clear thinking and balanced information.
Research demonstrates that adolescents may use marijuana as a way of
Demonstrating independence. Developing values distinct from parental and societal authority. Developing strong peer bonds. Seeking novel and exciting experiences Taking risks and satisfying curiosity. Only about 50% of Marijuana users report that they enjoyed their first experience - many don't feel anything, while others experience unpleasant psychological effects.
A review of studies shows that problematic marijuana use is linked with. Truancy Low self esteem Delinquent behaviour (stealing, vandalism, fare dodging) Having delinquent friends Hanging out on streets (boredom) Other behavioural and mental health issues (for example, those in special education programs tend to use more)
Preventing marijuana use problems - at home and school
What parents can do.
If a person has not used marijuana or other substances during their adolescent years, it is unlikely they will do so in the years following. Those who do use during adolescence tend to "binge" or use to intoxication. This pattern of use tends to fall off with the demands of adulthood, particularly a job and family. Knowing that, parents may wish to adopt an attitude toward marijuana and other drug use that places the greatest emphasis on helping their child to get through adolescence safely.
Some quick tips: - Strive for a "middle path" in parenting your teen, being neither overly restrictive nor overly lax
- Be aware of your own relationship with intoxicants, and show a readiness to make healthy choices
- Look for natural opportunities to discuss substance use issues; use occasions when the child has been or may be in a drug-using situation as an opportunity to discuss their use or non-use
In discussion, bear in mind: - Listen to your child: their perceptions are the reality that must be addressed
- Help them with their "decisional balance" by weighing perceived benefits against risks; use this article as a reference
- Young people are influenced by their perception of what is "normal". Point out that although it may seem "everyone" is using marijuana, the majority in most schools and grades do not use marijuana.
- Consider a harm reduction approach with your teen. That is, point out your preference that they not use marijuana or other substances at all, but identify drug-using situations that are particularly unsafe and really need to be avoided (for example, using around driving and sexual situations, using to the point of intoxication, using in combination with other substances or medications, or while involved in physical or cognitive activity).
Be alert to problems: - Early use (under the age of 14) may be a signal that there are other issues and problems that need to be dealt with;
- Declining school marks and reduced interest in school; this should be viewed as a red flag for a number of possible problems, including drug use, that need to be followed up with the school;
- Changes in drug use; if for example, using to intoxication appears to be increasing or occurring regularly, seek the advice of a professional.
What schools can do.
The overall school environment sends messages about the worth of students and the school's interest in promoting their health and safety. Schools need to strive to be an attractive, positive place for all students. These values need to be reflected in school policies that everyone is familiar with. - Pay attention to drug education, using evidence-based programs; many programs in use today are not supported by research; several methods, such as those based on life skills and normative approaches, are showing greater promise. Programs need to be delivered by competent, trained staff who are comfortable with interactive and peer-based approaches.
- Identify and provide support to those experiencing difficulties with school and/or with substance use; again it is important to use evidence-based approaches (such as the Opening Doors program developed in this country), taking care to avoid labeling these young people.
- Be aware of community resources available for those students who are showing signs of drug dependence.
This website uses references from:
- Cannabis 2002 Report, A joint international effort at the initiative of the Ministers of public health of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland. Ministry of Public Health of Belgium. 2002.
- Preventing substance use problems among young people: a compendium of best practices, Health Canada.
- Zocolillo, M., Vitaro, F., and Tremblay, R., Problem Drug and Alcohol Use in a Community Sample of Adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 38(7), 1999.
- Fischer, B, Albanes, R, and Amitay, O. Marijuana, Juveniles and the Police: What high school students believe about detection and enforcement. Canadian Journal of Criminology. Vol 40(4): 401-420. 1998.
Service Canada - Youth
www.youth.gc.ca - This website does not contain information specific to drug and substance usage. However, it does provide links to websites that focus on this subject. These websites include Canadian Health Network, RCMP's deal.org, and Canada's Health Portal, which are already referenced earlier in this report.
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