DECLINING DRUG-USE IN RELATION TO INCREASED DRUG-EDUCATION - A TREND STUDY 1979-1991

During the 1980s alcohol and drug education increased in Ontario schoo ls, especially at the Grade 7 level. This article reports aggregate re lationships between increased levels of exposure to classroom alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis education, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis by students in Ontario schools. The data were derived from r epeated cross-sectional probability surveys of alcohol and drug use co nducted every two years since 1979. There were strong inverse associat ions between increases in exposure to alcohol and drug education and r eported levels of use of these substances, especially for alcohol and for Grade 7 students.