Illicit drugs include cannabis, cocaine or crack, speed (amphetamines), ecstasy (MDMA), hallucinogens (PCP or LSD), heroin, steroids (e.g., testosterone or growth hormones), and inhalants (e.g., sniffing or huffing of glue, gasoline, or other solvents).[1] Illicit drugs also refers to prescription drugs taken without a prescription. Using illegal drugs at younger ages can lead to serious long-term problems, including drug dependence that may continue into adulthood.[2]
Youth who report using cannabis in the last year |
About the MeasureThis measure is collected from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Youth Survey that gathers self-reported well-being data from grade 7 and 10 students. To measure cannabis use among youth, the survey asks students if they have used cannabis in the last year. Key FindingsAcross the three Youth Survey cycles, reported cannabis use has remained relatively stable. In 2017-18, approximately 23% of grade 10 students reported using cannabis in the last year compared to only 1% of grade 7 students. Gender and municipal level data can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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Source: WDG Youth Survey, 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2017-18. WDG Report Card Coalition. Last updated August 2, 2018. LimitationsThe WDG Youth Survey collects self-reported data and is subject to response and recall bias. Rates of cannabis use may also be underreported as using cannabis has legal consequences.
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Youth who report using prescription pain pills without a prescription in the last year |
About the MeasureThis measure is collected from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Youth Survey that gathers self-reported well-being data from grade 7 and 10 students. To measure prescription drug use among youth, the survey asks students whether they used pain relief pills (e.g., Percocet, Percodan, Tylenol #3, Demoral, OxyCotin, codeine) without a prescription in the last year. Key FindingsStudent reported rates of prescription drug use without a prescription increased between 2014-15 and 2017-18. In 2011-12 and 2014-15, grade 10 students reported higher use of prescription drug use without a prescription than grade 7 students. However, in 2017-18, grade 7 and grade 10 students reported past year use at similar rates. Not included shown in the graph, fewer males (15%) reported prescription drug use without a prescription than females (21%) and non-binary students (26%). Gender, grade and municipal level data can be found in the downloadable Excel file.
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Source: WDG Youth Survey, 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2017-18. WDG Report Card Coalition. Last updated August 2, 2018. LimitationsThe WDG Youth Survey collects self-reported data and is subject to response and recall bias. Rates of prescription drug use without a prescription may also be underreported since it is not a socially acceptable behaviour.
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[1] Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario. (2015). Illicit drug use. Available at: http://core.apheo.ca/index.php?pid=283
[2] Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2007). Substance abuse in Canada: Youth in focus. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Available at: http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/ccsa-011521-2007-e.pdf