Attention News Editor:

 

News Release                   For Immediate Release

March 31, 2003

 

Survey Shows What Parents Are Doing About Teen Alcohol & Other Drug Use

 

We are excited to announce that the Grey Bruce Parent Norms Survey results are in.  “Grey Bruce parents are very concerned with teen substance use,” states Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn. “To our knowledge, a survey like this has never been done before in Ontario and the information that parents provided through this survey is a significant contribution to our knowledge of local trends regarding the issue of teen substance use.”  Bluewater District School Board Director David Armstrong states, “The School Board is really pleased to be involved in this important work because of its significance for young people and families.”  Director Patrick Cureton from the Bruce Grey District School Board echoed these comments: “You can tell by the significant number of responses that were received that parents are concerned, and we look forward to carrying on with this important work.”

 

Over 1300 parents were sent the survey early in 2002. They were asked to report on what they are doing with their teens regarding issues relating to substance use prevention and what their perception is of what other Grey Bruce parents are doing about the issue.  Some of the questions focused on level of parental concern about their teen’s use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.  Others focused on parents’ relationships with their teens and how influential they are with their teens.  Parents were also asked to estimate the amount of alcohol and other drug use by teens in Grey Bruce.

 

Some of the questions asked in the survey were:

§         Are families having discussions about drinking alcohol and other drug use?

§         Are parents allowing supervised underage drinking in their home?

§         Are teens drinking and driving?

 

To complete this project, the Grey Bruce Health Unit partnered with the SHHS/WDSS Addictive Substance Committee, Bluewater District School Board, the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, Bruce Power and FOCUS.

 

To view the complete document and results, go to www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca  and look under ‘Alcohol and Substance Abuse’.

 

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Attachments:

Grey Bruce Parents Norm Executive Summary

 

For more information:

 

Dr. Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420