Drug Related Topics

Drugs can have many short- and long-term effects on the body, brain and behaviour.

Local Facts & Figures

According to the Baseline User Study of Substance Use, Excluding Alcohol (Region of Waterloo Public Health, 2008).

• In Waterloo Region, crack, cocaine, marijuana and prescription painkillers are the most frequently used illicit substances. Use of crystal methamphetamine is also increasing.
• People are unaware of health and safety risks involved with sharing drug equipment such as crack pipes, sterile water and cookers. According to the study, sharing of equipment frequently occurs.
• Many people who use substances have significant health issues, including poor dental health, inadequate nutrition and diseases such as Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• More than half of the participants in the study reported that people around them would be unlikely to seek medical help on their behalf if they suffered a drug overdose.

Marijuana / Cannabis

Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in Canada. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey:

• 42 per cent of adults in Waterloo Region have used cannabis (Source: Addiction and Mental Health Indicators, Ontario Adults 18+ Years, 2006/2007 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor).
• 41 per cent of students in Waterloo/Wellington reported that they have used marijuana at least once, compared to 34 per cent across the province  (Ontario Drug Use and Health Survey 2009)
• More students smoke marijuana than cigarettes.
  • In Grade 9, some 18 per cent of students have used marijuana;
  • while 8 per cent have smoked cigarettes.

Crack / Cocaine & Other Drugs

• Students in the Waterloo/Wellington area are significantly higher than the provincial average in their ecstasy use:
  • 7.7 per cent, versus 4.7 per cent across the province.
  • Use of hallucinogens is 14 per cent, almost double the provincial rate.
• 6 per cent of students in Grades 7-12 have tried cocaine or crack.
• 9.6 per cent of students have tried stimulants.
• Use of methamphetamine (crystal meth) in Waterloo/Wellington schools is 3.6 per cent, higher than the provincial average of two per cent.

Opioids / Pain-Relievers

• 23 per cent of students report use of prescription opioid pain-relievers for non-medicinal purposes; eight per cent report frequent use.
• 3.5 per cent of students in Grades 7 to 12 in Waterloo/Wellington have used oxycontin, a highly addictive pain-killer, compared to two per cent provincially.
  Students say they find these medications in their parents' medicine cabinets.
  • For more information, please visit our Signs & Symptoms of Drug Use webpage.
• Methadone  is a  treatment for people with drug problems.
  • For more information, check the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; website. It provides professionals and people living with opioid drug problems with information they need to make informed decisions about this proven treatment option.

Related Topics & Links

Learn more about drug use and drug tests by visiting these pages and fact sheets:

How Long Drugs Stay in Your Body/Drug Tests

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

Signs of Drug Overdose

Marijuana & Hash

Crack/Cocaine

Crystal Meth

Hallucinogens

Ecstasy

Methadone

Oxycontin