Alcohol and Drug Use Survey Data Released

Nova Scotia has about the same rate of most high-risk drinking and cannabis use as other provinces. However, the rate of heavy, infrequent drinkers in Nova Scotia was significantly higher than national rates -- 9.2 per cent compared to 5.6 per cent over the past year, says research conducted for the Canadian Addiction Survey, released today, Nov. 24.

"This is troubling information, but not surprising," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Health Promotion. "The Office of Health Promotion had already identified problem drinking as the key area that the addictions prevention branch needs to focus on in Nova Scotia. These findings give us more accurate and up-to-date numbers on the problem so that we can come up with the right strategies to help people."

The rate of heavy frequent drinkers in Nova Scotia was the fourth highest in Canada at 8.1 per cent, after Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The survey noted that the proportion of individuals reporting harm to their personal lives increases substantially and significantly as the frequency of their heavy drinking increases. Such drinkers reported harm to their physical health, relationships, financial position, and work, among other aspects of their personal lives.

The rate of hazardous drinking among Nova Scotians was the second highest in Canada at 15.8 per cent compared to a 13.6 per cent national rate. Hazardous alcohol use was determined using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). This test asks people questions such as whether they had six or more drinks on one occasion or experienced an injury to themselves or others because of their drinking.

The survey showed that Nova Scotia rated about the same as other provinces in most other areas examined in the survey. Mr. MacDonald said that the next steps would be to analyze the data. He said with a complete analysis, the Office can design and implement programs targeted at the specific groups at most risk for injury or chronic disease as a result of problem drinking.

"This is why the Office was formed," he said, "to shine a light on exactly what's harming us and to address it head-on with the right programs."

The Office of Health Promotion contributed $10,000 to the national survey to improve the strength of the data results for Nova Scotia. New Brunswick and British Columbia also added funding for data specific to their province.

The Canadian Addiction Survey is the first national survey dedicated to assessing alcohol, cannabis and other illicit drug use since Canada's Alcohol and Other Drugs Survey in 1994. It provides a detailed picture of how Canadians aged 15 years and older use alcohol and other drugs, and the impact that use has on their physical, mental and social well-being.