Marijuana & Alcohol use revealed in School Survey

A recent survey which has revealed a fairly high prevalence of alcohol use in schools has prompted a candid response from Minister of Health and Welfare the Hon. Ronnie Skelton

"The statistics are alarming for a growing territory like the BVI.In our kind of economy, our people are essential to us remaining ahead. We are just over 20,000 strong, with less than half indigenous to the BVI," he says. "If we are to truly survive in this global and very competitive world, we need all hands on deck and fully functioning, particularly our up and coming young people."

The survey found that approximately one in every five BVI students at the secondary level is a regular alcohol drinker. Alcohol was used far more than any of the other abused substances. Statistics

These were some of the statistics disclosed through data collected by the National School Survey on Drugs and Sexual Behaviour conducted in 2002. The study, which was laid at the Legislative Council (LEGCO) at the end of December 2003, sought to identify the types of abused substances and determine the consumption patterns among students between the ages of 12 and 21.

Additional statistics show that lifetime and current use of alcohol was highest in Anegada, with about eight in every ten students reporting that they tried alcohol, and one in every five admitting use 30 days prior to the survey. This equates to 78.6 and 21.4 percent, respectively.Virgin Gorda had the second highest lifetime use, while the second highest current use was reported for Tortola.

The first use of alcohol was predominantly before age 10, with 79 percent of the initial alcohol use completed by 12 or 13 years of age.The report states that this high rate of early initiation implies that there is a social acceptability of alcohol use among younger people. The survey showed that marijuana was the most used illicit substance, with about one in every nine students, or 16.5 percent, having tried marijuana in their lifetime. Current use was low at 4.5 percent and, while lifetime prevalence was higher in private schools for cigarettes, marijuana and inhalants, it was the same for alcohol use.

When students were asked if they ever had the chance to try an illicit drug, the majority, 69.8 percent, said no, while 13.4 percent said once, and 16.8 percent said several times. When asked if they would try the drug if they had a chance, four percent said yes and 13.6 said maybe. Consequences Studies show that regular alcohol use can have a damaging and permanent effect on the brain. Over time, its consumption can result in a reduction in overall brain size and an inability to absorb vitamin B-1 (thiamine). The lack of vitamin B-1 impairs memory and causes confusion. The fact that the survey was done among growing teenage minds gives even more reason for concern.

"Early onset of alcohol use is one of the strongest predictors of later dependence problems, especially when onset is before age 15," the report concludes.Minister Skelton is therefore calling on all agencies to collaborate in their efforts to prevent or delay the onset of alcohol and other drug use among students. He is also appealing to teachers and parents to identify alcohol and other drug use and to make appropriate referrals. The National Secondary Schools Survey on Drug Use was a collaborative effort of the Caribbean Drug Information Network and the Ministry of Health and Welfare through the National Drug Advisory Council (NDAC).