Enduring resurgence or statistical blip? Recent trends from the Ontario Student Drug Use Survey

This paper describes trends in alcohol and other drug use among Ontario students between 1977 and 1995, especially those occurring between 1993 and 1995. Data are based on the Ontario Student Drug Use Survey, which to date represents 10 cross-sectional surveys conducted every two years since 1977. In each survey, approximately 4,000 students in grades 7, 9, 11 and 13 are interviewed in their classrooms. The findings show that after a decade of declining drug use, rates of use increased between 1993 and 1995. Of the 20 drugs surveyed in 1995, the use of 8 increased significantly from 1993. Increases in drug use were more common among 9th- and 11th-grades.