Drug habits of children revealed in eye-opening report

Mr. Speaker, the use of illicit drugs in Bermuda is a problem that cannot be ignored. It is important that our efforts are focused toward preventing our young people from developing drug using habits. Today, I would like to present to Honourable Members with a summary of the results of a “Survey of Students on Knowledge and Attitudes of Drugs and Health 2012” which, was recently completed by the Department of National Drug Control as part of the Bermuda National Drug Information Network. The survey, which is the first of its kind in Bermuda, was developed in partnership with the Department of Education.

Mr. Speaker, the National School Survey of 2011 (of Middle and Senior School students on Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs, and Health), provided data to suggest that young people in Bermuda may be experimenting with alcohol and drugs at an earlier age than previously suspected, in some cases as low as 9 years old.

Mr. Speaker, given the results of that study, the 2012 survey was specifically designed to determine prevalence and frequency of drug use; assess knowledge and awareness of drugs; assess reasons for drug use; determine the level of access to drugs; and to assess young persons’ perceptions of use. 

A total of 1, 106 students in Primary 5, Primary 6 and Middle 1 of ages 9 to 11, participated in the survey representing 23 public, 2 private, and 5 home schools. The findings represented in this report Mr. Speaker, gives a better understanding of how to improve drug abuse prevention and intervention programmes, understand the drug and health perceptions and beliefs in need of attention in the community, monitor progress toward national health goals, and to encourage healthy drug-free lifestyles amongst Bermuda’s youth.

Of the students who responded to the survey approximately half were male and half were female. The percentage by year grade and age was split almost equally at approximately 33% each. When it came to race, 57.4% of the students indicated they considered themselves as Black, and 30.2% considered themselves to be of mixed race.

Mr. Speaker, our students overwhelmingly reported that they obtained majority of the information related to the dangers of drugs mostly from parents/guardians and family members; or teachers/counselors; and sometimes from the television. Indeed, even though it doesn’t always seem like it, our children are listening to their elders.  Students were asked various questions of what they would do in situations involving drugs. Results revealed that 93.3 % of positive responses were directed toward the statement “if someone gives me drugs I would tell my teacher or parents” and 89.7% for the statement “if a friend gives me drugs I would tell my teacher or parents.”  As anticipated, the lowest responses were reported for the statements “you have to use drugs lots of times before you get addicted/hooked on them” and the statement “if someone gives me drugs I would take them."

Mr. Speaker, the survey reveals that there were no apparent differences in the reasons for drug use among grade levels or between the sexes, with most students responding positively to the statements “people use drugs because their friends use drugs” at 38.2% and “people use drugs because their parents use drugs” at 23.7%, while a smaller proportion (1.3%) of students felt the “using drugs make you look cool.”

Now, in terms of lifetime use, 62.3% survey respondents said they have at least used one of the surveyed substances in their lifetime. Of these, 52.3% reported using energy drinks, 25.2 % alcohol, 15.3% inhalants, 3.4 % cigarettes, and 0.5% other drugs. Prevalence of use of most substances increases as students advance to higher grades. Note, that of all the students surveyed, one-third have tried a substance in their lifetime.

Mr. Speaker, inhalants seemed to be the easiest drug to access as indicated by 46.5% of the survey respondents, followed by alcohol at 31.0% of respondents, however a great proportion of students did not know how easy it is to obtain any of the substances surveyed. Students who felt that inhalants were the easiest to obtain were more likely to be in MI, while more of the students who felt that alcohol was the easiest drug to access were in P6.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to perceptions of health risk associated with Alcohol, Tobacco, other Drugs (ATOD), (*energy drinks excluded) overall, most students believed that all four risk behaviours  of inhaling common household products, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana are harmful. Mr. Speaker, the perception of the legality of substances by students’ shows most students are of the correct view that wine, beer, cigarettes, and rum are legal for adults only, while a small minority indicated that marijuana and cocaine are legal for adults. Almost one-fifth or one-quarter of the survey respondents did not know the legality of the substances under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I have gone over some of the highlights of results the survey has produced and I must say I find the report very informative and helpful in terms of finding solutions for prevention and intervention. It is concerning to see the high rate of energy drink consumption amongst our students as studies are showing, young people should not consume energy drinks because of the high caffeine content, and possibly even alcohol, which leads to heart palpitations and, worst case scenario, even death. The DNDC and the Ministry of Education will continue their public education campaign for both young people and parents alike on the dangers associated with the consumption of energy drinks by minors.

Also, Mr. Speaker, the survey brought to my attention a concerning point and that is the apparent lack of knowledge regarding the presence of alcohol in a selection of beverages.  Three of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Bermuda are Twisted Tea, Breezers, Smirnoff Ice, however they were selected by more than half of students as drinks that did not have alcohol. This shows that collectively, we need to do more in alcohol awareness education in order for our children to develop healthy attitudes toward alcohol as they grow and eventually reach the age of legality. 

Mr. Speaker, The survey results demonstrated the need for more education with students at an earlier age than traditionally provided.

This report in its entirety will be released to the public shortly. While there are some areas of concern, I am encouraged that our children, for the most part, have not reported to be regularly using harmful, illegal substances. With the continued guidance of parents, family, teachers and public awareness campaigns, I am confident that our students can be lead on a path that continues them away from harmful alcohol and drug abuse habits.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.