Overview
Canada's young people (15-24) constitute about 13% of the population, with slightly more males than females in this age group. When the subject of drug use comes up, it is often in relation to young people. This makes some sense, for while there are significant drug issues among other populations, it is during the younger years that most substance use begins. If a person in Canada has not begun to use alcohol, tobacco or an illicit substance during this period, it is unlikely he or she ever will. Young people in Canada tend to use substances to a greater extent and in riskier ways than do older people, and this can result in significant problems in the short and long terms.
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Selected Readings
Substance Abuse in Canada: Youth in Focus [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), September 2007
Risks Associated with Tobacco Use in Youth Aged 15-19 [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), October 2006
Drug Use, Smoking and Drinking Among Young People in England in 2005: Headline Figures [PDF]
National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), August 2006
Harm Reduction Policies and Programs for Youth [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), August 2006
What Are Kids Drinking? [PDF]
CAMH Population Studies eBulletin, July/August 2006
Youth Detoxification and Residential Treatment Literature Review: Best and Promising Practices in Adolescent Substance Use Treatment Final Report [PDF]
Alberta Health Services (AHS), June 2006
Hidden Harm. Next Steps: Supporting Children - Working with Parents [PDF]
Scottish Executive, May 2006
Young Adult Drinking [PDF]
Alcohol Alert, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), No. 68, April 2006
Youth Volatile Solvent Abuse (VSA) FAQ [PDF]
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), February 2006
Drug Use Prevention Among Young People: A Review of Reviews. Evidence Briefing Update.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), U.K., January 2006
Should Harm Minimization as an Approach to Adolescent Substance Use be Embraced by Junior and Senior High Schools? Empirical Evidence from an Integrated School- and Community-Based Demonstration Intervention Addressing Drug Use Among Adolescents
International journal of drug policy; 16: 403-414, 2005
A Strong Start: Good practices in Using a Local Situation Assessment to Begin a Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Project [PDF]
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2004
The Harm Potential of Prevention Programs [PDF]
Youth Gambling International (YGI), 3(2), Summer 2003
Teens & Cannabis[PDF]
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Québec, 2002
When Drugs Come to School: A Resource Manual for Student Substance Use and School-Based Policy Development [PDF]
Integrated Primary/Population Health Branch Addiction Services, Nova Scotia Department of Health, November 2002
Young People & Alcohol [PDF]
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Québec, 2001
Related Resources
Hepatitis C Toolkit and Website (CATIE)
Parlonsdrogue.com, Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux, Québec
Information for Parents, Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Information for Teachers, Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Publications Concerning Youth and Substance Abuse, Health Canada
Rural Northern Youth Intervention Strategy (RYNIS), Addiction Foundation of Manitoba (AFM)
Thrive: The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development
Voices for Children