This report provides valuable information concerning student alcohol and drug use in Ignace. It highlights the data gathered through a youth alcohol and drug use survey, conducted in Ignace schools through the C.O.R.E. Program. Because an ethical requirement of the Community Needs Assessment project was that all respondents must be over the age of 18, youth perceptions of alcohol and drug use in the community were not being represented in the community analysis. To compensate for same, and to coincide with the needs assessment and the telephone surveys being conducted in the community, a youth alcohol and drug use survey was conducted with students.
This report summarizes the extent of alcohol and other drug use among students enrolled in Grades 6 - OAC. The students ages ranged from 11 years - 19 years of age. Both students at Ignace School and Immaculee Conception School were surveyed. The target sample ex- cluded mature students, and students from Upsala. The surveys were administered in April1999.
The findings are based on a survey questionnaire which was originally developed and administered in the Town of Sioux Lookout. With permission, this questionnaire was self-administered in Ignace schools, with teacher supervision. Questionnaires were anonymous, with age and gender as the only identifying components. The questionnaire included the following components: extent and frequency of youth alcohol and drug use in Ignace; frequency of youth intoxication; where alcohol is obtained; age of first use of alcohol; parents knowledge and reactions to alcohol use; reasons for not drinking; types of drugs used in the community; and effective youth alcohol / drug free activities.
It must be noted that research suggests that self-reported alcohol and drug use can often be bias, meaning sources of error may occur that effect results and percentages. Such sources include under-reporting of use, memory effects, and systematic error. Therefore, the results of this survey should be used with caution.
OVERVIEW
Characteristics of Respondents
* 158 respondents participated in the survey
* 83 of respondents were male (53%)
* 68 of respondents were female (43%)
* 7 respondents did not specify sex (4%).
* respondents consisted of students aged 11 -19, (Grades 6 - OAC).
Alcohol Use
* 114 (72.2%) reported having tried alcohol at some point.
* 55.3% of respondents who tried alcohol were male
* 41.2% of respondents who tried alcohol were female
* 3.5% of respondents who tried alcohol did not specify sex.
* 42% who reported trying alcohol were 14 years old and under.
* the average age of respondents when they had their first drink is 11.59 years.
* 73.6% of respondents who reported having tried alcohol reported having been drunk
Setting / location of First Drink
* 30.7% of respondents reported at a friend's place
* 26.3% of respondents reported at home
* 23.7% of respondents reported "other" (i.e. in the bush, at parties, camping)
* 16.7% of respondents reported with parents
* 2.6% of respondents reported at dances
Where Alcohol is Obtained
* 49.5% of respondents reported through their friends
* 16.5% of respondents reported parents (with permission)
* 12.8% of respondents reported "other"
* 9.2% of respondents reported bootleggers
* 4.6% of respondents reported older siblings
* 4.6% of respondents reported parents (without permission)
* 2.8% of respondents reported self
Drug Use
* 30.4% of respondents reported using drugs
* 14.6% of those respondents are under the age of 15 years
* 64.6% of respondents who use drugs were male
* 35.4% of respondents who use drugs were female.
* 75.8% of respondents who use drugs reported using pot / hash (cannabis)
* 14. 5% of respondents who use drugs reported using acid (LSD)
Frequency of Kids who Drink (among those who reported using alcohol)
* 40.9% of respondents reported drink less than once a month
* 30.0% of respondents reported drink 2-3 times a month
* 17.3% of respondents reported did not respond
* 6.4% of respondents reported drink 2-3 times a week
* 5.5% of respondents reported drink once a week.
Parents Knowledge & Reactions to Student Alcohol Use
* 30.4% did not respond
* 16.5% reported parents don't approve
* 15.8% reported that parents gave them permission to drink
* 13.9% reported that parents don't know
* 10.8% reported that parents think it is wrong
* 4.4% reported that parents respect their choice
* 3.8% reported that parents don't care
Students Reasons for Not Drinking
* 18.4% of respondents reported that alcohol is not healthy
* 15.2% of respondents reported that they have seen it cause problems
* 14.6% of respondents reported that it is illegal
* 12.0% of respondents reported fear of developing an alcohol problem
* 12.0% of respondents reported "other"
* 8.9% of respondents reported athletic reasons
* 7.6% of respondents reported it is fattening
* 5.1% of respondents reported for religious reasons (5.1%).
Alcohol / Drug Free Activities Suggested by Students
* 57.6% of respondents reported concerts in the community,
* 53.8% of respondents reported dances
* 50.6% of respondents reported movies
* 40.5% of respondents reported various sports (i.e. basketball, volleyball)
* 38.6% of respondents reported outdoor activities
* 14.6% of respondents reported "other"
* 8.2% of respondents reported various workshops (i.e. skill building, self esteem)
CONCLUSION
While substance use is generally consistent with rates among other Ontario students, the use of alcohol is of concern in the Northwest. Indeed, the substance use rates gathered in the survey questionnaire are consistent with the 1997 Northwestern Ontario Student Drug Use Survey findings. It is quite evident that there is a need for concern regarding youth alcohol and substance use in the community.
Negative consequences of youth alcohol / drug use could result in future problems in late adolescence and adulthood. The choices that our youth make today, could effect them for a lifetime. Targeting prevention initiatives at young students is one way of delaying the onset and preventing alcohol / drug use among youth. Community groups need to respond and develop programs both in and out of the classroom which are aimed at prevention. The community, therefore, needs to take a stand against youth alcohol / substance use. It is important that educators, public health, the community health centre, social service professionals, law enforcement, parents, and young people work together to prevent alcohol / drug use among youth. The more supportive the environment, the more likely that prevention efforts will be successful.