Adolescent Substance Use and Related Harms in British Columbia

Abstract

The 2008 BC Adolescent Health Survey IV (N=29,440) included 50 of BC’s 59 school districts and 92% of public school students (grades 7 to 12). There have been encouraging downward trends in usage rates for alcohol, tobacco and marijuana over the past 10 years in BC. However, rates of risky use and related harms remain a significant concern, particularly among older students.