Experimenting with drugs and alcohol when you are a teen often seems like something you have to do. Not all teens will decide to try drugs or alcohol. Some will try them once or twice and be satisfied. Others will continue to use drugs and alcohol to the point of excess because they are unable to control their cravings or urges for them; this is called substance abuse. When it comes to drugs and alcohol, the more information you have the better. Being educated and informed about the decisions you are making will help you to make the best choices for your health and safety.


Statistics

  • In a 2008 study, 23% of 14 year-olds and 70% of 17 year-olds in Saskatchewan reported drinking 5 or more drinks within a 2-hour period at least once in the past month. Government of Saskatchewan ~ Department of Health
  • Substance abuse has cost our health care system $8 billion. ~ Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
  • Female addicts are 54% more likely to die prematurely because of their drug use. ~ University of Toronto
  • 60% of illicit drug users in Canada are between the ages of 15 and 24. ~ Statistics Canada
  • Pedestrians under the influence of alcohol accounted for 12.3% of alcohol related road deaths in Canada. ~ Traffic Injury Research Foundation
  • Children of addicts are up to 9 times more likely to develop an addiction of their own. ~ Web4Health
  • Cannabis use among Canadians aged 15 years and older was 10.2% in 2012. ~ Health Canada
  • 70.0% of youth among 15 to 24 years of age reported using alcohol in 2012. ~ Health Canada
  • 16-25 year olds constituted 13.6% of the population in 2010, but made up almost 33.4% of the impairment-related traffic deaths.
    ~ MADD Canada Statistics

Kids Health

The Science Behind Drug Abuse

Alcohol Abuse Facts

Teen Challenge

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