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information on addictions: various drugs

Various Drugs Use and Harms, Highlights

• Among youth, cannabis was the most frequently reported drug used during one's lifetime (61.4%), followed by hallucinogens (16.4%), then cocaine (12.5%), ecstasy (11.9%), speed (9.8%) and inhalants (1.8%). The lifetime use of each of inhalants, heroin, steroids and drugs by injection was about 1%.

• A greater percentage of youth than adults reported use of any of 5 illicit drugs (24.2% versus 15.2%) and any of 6 illicit drugs in their lifetime (62.1% versus 42.3%).

• The rate of lifetime and past-year illicit drug use other than cannabis (24.2% and 11.3%, respectively) was highest among 18- to 19-year-olds and youth from the Quebec region. In addition, the rate of lifetime and past-year illicit drug use including cannabis (62.1% and 37.9%, respectively) was also higher among 18-to 19-year-olds and youth from the Quebec region.

• Youth who had used in their lifetime were more likely than adults to report harm from their use of any of 8 illicit drugs (34.5% versus 20.7%) or any of 5 illicit drugs (59.5% versus 41.7%).

Excerpt from: "Substance Use by Canadian Youth - A National Survey of Canadians' Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs - Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS) (2007)