Continued Need to Address Teen Drug Use

A student survey released today confirms the need to continue efforts against teen drug use, Health Minister Jim Smith and Education Minister Robbie Harrison said today.

Both ministers say the survey shows student drug use is an issue throughout Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia is working with the other provinces -- and young people in their schools and communities -- to do something to turn the survey numbers around.

"Recent efforts are beginning to show results," Dr. Smith said. "For example, the Tobacco Control Unit created in 1995 has been making progress with youth and smoking, not only through its enforcement of the Tobacco Access Act, but with smoking cessation initiatives with the regional health boards, and initiatives in schools, like the Quit and Win program for high school students."

"We need to build on these results through a co-operative approach within government and with communities," said Mr. Harrison. "It's not just a matter of offering more programs, it's a matter of developing the right approaches involving parents, community members, teachers, and -- most importantly -- students themselves."

As one example, the Annapolis Valley and Halifax regional school boards are involving students, teachers, parents and the community in defining and creating drug education approaches at junior high. Lessons learned in this pilot project will be shared with schools across the province. This three-year research program builds on drug education programs school boards are already offering. It also involves students more actively in addressing the issue and includes a strong evaluation component, as recommended in the 1998 survey.

As a partner in this innovative project, the Department of Health expects the project will improve understanding of how to support students in making healthy decisions, as well as help reach students who have made unhealthy decisions about drug use and gambling.

As well, a new comprehensive guidance and counselling program is being introduced in schools. Guidance is no longer a narrowly defined service but part of a full program offered in the school, as a shared responsibility led by the guidance counsellor, and involving teachers, students and parents. Together, they develop priorities based on an assessment of school priorities, which could include drug and alcohol education.

The elementary and junior high health curriculum is being rewritten, with a greater focus on drug education; the new health curriculum will be available in all schools next fall. Teen health centres are another resource, where teens can talk privately to health professionals. Curriculum resources -- such as Alcohol and Other Drugs, Smoke Free for Life, and Drawing the Line (about gambling) -- are also being used by teachers to help students make healthy choices.

Both ministers said it's important to continue these surveys, so everyone knows the facts and can work together on solutions.

"These results will be shared with all schools," they said in a joint statement. "We take this survey seriously, and we want to do everything possible to reverse these numbers, so more young people are making healthy choices in and out of school."