cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Use Doubles: Study Marijuana Use Doubles: Study Posted by CN Staff on November 24, 2004 at 15:11:08 PT By The Canadian Press Source: Canadian Press Ottawa -- The number of Canadians who say they have used cannabis or injectable drugs in the past year has doubled in a decade, according to a major new survey. But addiction specialists still see alcohol abuse as the greater problem. Data from the Canada Addiction Survey, the most comprehensive addictions survey ever done in Canada, presents a disturbing picture of a society increasingly dependent on mood-altering substances. Fourteen per cent of respondents said they had used cannabis in the last year, up from 7.4 per cent in 1994. Overall, 45 per cent said they had used pot at least once in their lifetime. Nearly seven per cent reported using injection drugs in 2004, which would translate into 269,000 Canadians. That's up from 132,000 in 1994. The survey also suggests that more than four million Canadians have used an injectible drug at some point in their life, up from 1.7 million in 1994. The proportion of drinkers rose to 79.3 per cent this year from 72.3 per cent in 1994. Seven per cent of respondents described themselves as frequent heavy drinkers, up from 5.4 per cent in 1994. Researchers who conducted the study said it showed the need for better drug-control programs but did not indicate alarm at the findings. "This is both a good news and bad news story," Michel Perron of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse told a news conference Wednesday. "Despite the fact that most Canadians drink in moderation and without harm we are concerned about heavy drinking among youth aged 18 to 24. "The increasing use of cannabis by Canadian youth is also an area of concern because we know cannabis is not a benign substance." The reasons for the increasing substance use will become clearer as data are analysed in greater detail, he said. Robert Hanson of Health Canada said the department is working on a campaign targeted at youth to discourage cannabis and alcohol use, and consulting on a national strategy. Ed Adlaf of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health said alcohol is the greatest concern because it affects the most people. He said about 20 per cent of adults are drinking hazardously. Adlaf said he is also concerned that 18 per cent of cannabis users are using the drug daily, and about a third say they can't control their use. Males were more likely than females to have used the drug, and young people had a higher rate of use than older Canadians. The survey also suggests usage increases with education, rising to 52 per cent for those with post-secondary education from 35 per cent among high school dropouts. The updated information comes as the federal government moves to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot. The pro-marijuana group NORML Canada says the survey clearly shows that cannabis laws have failed to deter people from using the drug. The survey was sponsored by Health Canada, the Canadian Executive Council on Addictions and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Note: Researchers more concerned about booze.Source: Canadian PressPublished: Wednesday, November 24, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Sites:NORML Canadahttp://www.normlcanada.org/Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmSurvey Finds Pot Puffing Rate Doubled http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19874.shtmlLet's Remember Prohibition and Legalize http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19755.shtmlCannabisNews -- Canada Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/Canada.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 25, 2004 at 11:43:11 PT afterburner When CNews was hacked I don't think we were down but a day. This seems longer then I've seen anywhere before. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by afterburner on November 25, 2004 at 11:40:17 PT FoM re CC Blockade Since Tuesday and I don't know. But Paul Peterson's post was sent to Marc. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 25, 2004 at 11:30:14 PT afterburner I'm busy making dinner but I just tried to get into CC and Pot-TV and they are still down. How many days have they been down? Who did this to them? I'm getting a little upset about this. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by afterburner on November 25, 2004 at 11:14:13 PT Altered States "Despite the fact that most Canadians [toke] in moderation and without harm we are concerned about heavy drinking among youth aged 18 to 24." {The proportion of drinkers rose to 79.3 per cent this year from 72.3 per cent in 1994. Fourteen per cent of respondents said they had used cannabis in the last year, up from 7.4 per cent in 1994.} 79.3% alcohol, 14% cannabis, and they are more concerned about alcohol, but they are concerned about cannabis? "Substance abuse," "addiction," what about coffee, tea, chocolate? And all those government-approved pharmaceuticals, they played the game, they paid the piper. Don't they deserve special treatment. Is self-administration of food and mild herbal stimulants, sedatives, psychedelics, and hypnotics a bad skill set in a free society? Do we wish to live locked into a mono-state of mind: a boring 'white bread' fantasy? You are your #1 doctor [from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docEre to teach http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=doctor&x=22&y=17 ], the most available health care provider in your house. As it says in the Constitution, is now and ever shall be. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 25, 2004 at 09:39:35 PT News Articles from MedPot Marc does such a fine job with the Canadian News that I thought I should post his links. Many of the Canadian sites are snipped sources for me or pay sites so his work is greatly appreciated.****Canadian Cannabis NewsPro-pot groups says federal policies out of step with Canadians http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13008BC: Random school locker searches invasive http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13003B.C. leading nation in drug use http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13002ON: Shades Of Reefer Madness http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13001Marijuana: We smoke more and want it to be legal http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13000AB: Raids weed out trio of grow-ops http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12999BC: OPED: Policy Of Prohibition A Failure http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12967ON: COPS SHORTED ON CLONE COUNT http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12998MPs wanted to hear Bush (Anne McLellan upset) http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12997Bush won't tempt House boos http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12994Patients told to go to U.S. http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12996Kids are going to pot http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12995Cops hosting info sessions on visit http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12993MB: Look who's tokin' http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12988BC: Neighbouring grow ops busted simultaneously http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12987Pot -- it's not just for bohemians any more http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12986Marijuana nation?: More Canadians smoking pot; more than half support legalization http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12983BC: Police dispute P.G. pot capital report http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12979BC growers share secrets of legal pot operation http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12978AB: Police raid uncovers major grow op http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12977BC: Four Pillars Approach Price-tag Will Be Unveiled In January http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12966BC: OPED: Attitude Toward 'bud' Embarrassingly Provincial http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12965BC: Get Tough On Drugs, Cops Urge http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12964BC: Cop Union Boss Questions Injection Site Impact http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12963YK: Parties Agree To Fight Substance Abuse http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12962PUB LTE: Employee Drug Use http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12961Canadians want pot smokers 'left alone' http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12959Study finds pot use has doubled, but researchers more worried about booze http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12958BC: Police deliver their message: growers will be caught http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12957BC: Abby Schools Likely To See Drug-sniffing Dogs By January 2005 http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12950BC: Pot-free housing: You grow, you go http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12948U.S. bounty hunters 'just can't do that' http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12946Nouvelles sur le Cannabis en FRANCAIS!Canada: Le responsable de la plantation de Barrie sur l'identité de ses associés (Ontario) http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12941Canada: Des maisons à l'épreuve de la marijuana... Colombie- Britannique http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12940La consommation de marijuana a doublé depuis 10 ans au Canada http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=129373 millions d'Européens fument chaque jour du cannabis http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13006France: "Des croisés de la lutte anti-drogue" http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12939France: Les étudiants fumeraient moins de tabac mais plus de cannabis http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12938American Cannabis NewsCA: Smoke lingers in marijuana case (re: Angel Raich) http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13004CA: Upcoming Supreme Court case may shape medipot industry http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12991MD: Edu: LTE: Easiest Way Not To Get Punished For Smoking Marijuana Is Not Do It http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12976FL: Smart Choices Program Taught In Grade Schools http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12974TN: Editorial: Drug Court Expansion Will Benefit Everyone http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12972OR: Safety Levy's Defeat Shelves Drug Education http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12970NJ: Mayors Will Back School Officer But Must First Work Out Funding http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12969ID: PUB LTE: Marijuana http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12968NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- November 24, 2004 http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12960MA: OPED: Marijuana Should Not Be Reclassified http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12954Drug Reform Group Sends Back Ford Foundation Grant http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12955Commission Finds Racial Disparity In Jail Sentences http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12953RI: Ex-Cop Voices Regrets http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12951WI: PUB LTE: Marijuana Not Harmful To Adults http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12947MN: Man Charged With Being High At Time Of Fatal Crash http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12944CA: Firefighter punished for drug use on job http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12943WA: Man charged with killing co-worker in a fight http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12942UK Cannabis NewsBlair war on drugs 'misery' http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12990Children confused over cannabis laws http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12989Man used cannabis as medicine http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12982Howard launches Tory drugs plan http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12981'Audacious Plan' to Smuggle Cannabis among Pineapple Tins http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12945Australian Cannabis News http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showforum=6Cannabis News: Other CountriesPhilippines: GMA's son backs proposal to legalize marijuana http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13005China crushes drug gangs, seizing 6.27 tons of drugs since August http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12992Thailand: Long Wait For Justice http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12975New Zealand: Hard Line On Crime Profits 'Unfair' http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12973New Zealand: Editorial: Herbal Highs And Lows http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12971Afghanistan: Takeover Of The Drug Traffickers http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12952Other Cannabis Topics & Medical MarijuanaPOLL: GOVERNMENT OUT OF TOUCH WITH CANADIANS ON POT LAWS http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12984Globe and Mail Poll: Have you use marijuana in the last 5 years? Please vote! http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12985CANNABIS WEBSITES ATTACKED BY HACKERS! 10 shut down in North America http://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12956You are welcomed to post your comments :o)Have a nice day!Marc (medpot) [ Post Comment ] Post Comment