Both kids and adults who drink alcohol or use drugs often tell others, and themselves, that everybody is doing it.
“Because in their world, everybody does smoke dope (or drink alcohol),” said Doug Rogers, Vernon School District substance abuse prevention counsellor.
But the facts reveal a very different reality than the one those under the influence believe.
Statistics show that 30 per cent of American adults don’t drink at all, while another 30 per cent consume, on average, less than one drink per week (Washington Post/Paying the Tab, Philip Cook). Meanwhile only 12.2 per cent of those 15 and over used marijuana in the past year (Statistics Canada).
Axis Intervention Services blew this, and several other myths out of the water during a presentation at W.L. Seaton recently.
“There’s lots out there (myths and misconceptions),” said Chris Bader from Axis, in front of 68 parents, grandparents, school district administrators and the superintendant, doctors and teens.
Another statement which Axis challenged is one they hear often from parents or loved ones, “at least my kid isn’t doing ‘hard drugs.’”
Yet research shows teens who have their first drink of alcohol before age 15 are close to 50 per cent higher risk of developing alcohol use disorders (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).
And regular teen cannabis users are 18 times more likely to become substance dependent and eight times more likely to use other illicit drugs later in life (The Dunedin Study).
“What might start out as some poor choices can lead down a very dark road,” said Bader.
He also touched on the fact that young brains are still developing, therefore drug use can cause significant IQ change.
“There are no drugs, any drugs, legal or illegal, that don’t have some negative consequences, especially for kids,” said Rogers.
“We know that if kids start early it will certainly impair graduation and the likelihood of them having a problem as an adult is much, much higher. The kids I see that have significant problems started much earlier.”
As a result, Rogers, Bader and fellow counsellor Darrin Taylor urge abstinence as the best way to protect our children.
“We’re certainly trying to delay as far as we can any use of alcohol,” said Rogers, who cautions parents who give their kids permission to use drugs or alcohol, but only on the weekends, because ‘they’re going to do it anyway.’
“It’s akin to saying you can drive Highway 97 to Kelowna responsibly but on the weekend, you can drive 100 kilometres an hour. We would never say that.”
The presentation also discussed genetic predisposition, trauma and other issues which can lead to substance abuse, and how it’s not necessarily where a person lives or their upbringing.
“If you would’ve asked me 20, 30 years ago, what does addiction look like, I probably would’ve pointed to Polson Park,” admits Bader.
“The majority of the people we work with are highly intelligent, so again, it’s a misconception.”
Those who missed the presentation can visit the school district website for more information at sd22.bc.ca under the District News heading.
The district also provides an education-based program free of charge at Axis for students who have questions about drugs and alcohol or who are experimenting.
The five-week program runs year-round on Wednesdays and can be accessed by referral from a school counsellor or administrator.
The school district will be hosting another presentation after spring break with Bill Dyck, a Kelowna-based attorney.
The session’s topic will be drinking/drugging and driving, the party scene and the situation parents put themselves into when they host parties.