NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Drug and alcohol abuse in NWT youth is on the rise, according to a report recently released by the territorial government.

The NWT Addictions Report states 64 per cent of 15 to 24 year olds reported consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion.

The report, based on a survey conducted between mid-September and October 2009, also stated that 50 per cent of males were more likely to consume five or more drinks on a single occasion than females, at 35 per cent.

Binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more standard-sized drinks in a row for men and four or more for women. Meanwhile, one in four respondents engaged in heavy drinking at least once a week.

It was also reported that the majority of Northern residents consumed their first

drink at the age of 16.

"They're getting younger all the time; there are so many people who are walking around drunk all the time these days; it's sad," said Behchoko resident Edward Chocolate.

According to the report, Northern youth were also part of a group of individuals who said they had tried at least one of the five types of illicit drugs (cocaine/crack, hallucinogens, speed, ecstasy and heroin) at least once in their lifetime. That number increased to 24 per cent in 2009 from 16 per cent in 2002.

Report findings also noted that at least 11 per cent of the NWT population aged 15 and over are using cannabis on a weekly basis.

The report indicates that education levels are a dictating factor when it comes to predicting drinking habits in NWT residents. The phenomenon of drinking five or more drinks on a single occasion (binge drinking) was highest among those individuals who did not have a high school diploma. The report findings illustrated that overall, as education levels increased, the number of drinks consumed on a single occasion decreased.

The report covered every community across the NWT. Surveys were conducted in larger communities while face-to-face interviews were done in smaller communities. A number of homes in 22 different Northern communities were randomly sampled as part of the survey.

The report was released as part of a study, the purpose of which was to present findings from the GNWT's 2009 Addictions Survey. The results of that survey are used to understand current substance use trends in the NWT.

When asked to discuss results of the NWT Addictions Report with News/North, Health Minister and deputy premier Michael Miltenberger declined to comment.

Fact file

NWT addictions facts

* Among current drinkers in 2009, 64 per cent of 15 to 24 year olds reported consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion and one in four engaged in heavy drinking at least once a week.

* Forty-three per cent of residents surveyed said they typically consume five or more drinks on one occasion. This is an increase from 34 per cent since 1996.

* Aboriginal people tend to drink less frequently than non-aboriginal, but tend to consume a larger amount when they do drink.

* The majority of the NWT population reported using cannabis at least once in their lifetime. Overall, the proportion of "lifetime users" increased to 59 per cent from 53 per cent between 1996 and 2009.

* At least 11 per cent of the NWT population aged 15 and over are using cannabis on a weekly basis.

* People who reported trying one of the five types of illicit drugs (cocaine/crack, hallucinogens, speed, ecstasy and heroin) at least once in their life increased to 24 per cent in 2009 from 16 per cent in 2002.

Source: NWT Addictions Report

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