Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 61 CANNABIS (continued) Frequent or regular use of cannabis can lead to cannabis use disorder or addiction. It has an effect on the brain’s reward system – as do all other addictive drugs – the likelihood of developing problem use or addiction increases considerably for those who start young.6 Cannabis and Canadian youth The rate of cannabis use is over two times higher among Canadian youth and young adults than adults.7 Canadian youth continue to have one of the highest rates of cannabis use worldwide. In 2018, the World Health Organization compared lifetime cannabis use among youth aged 15 across 40 countries and found that use by Canadian youth was the third-highest, 23% of boys and 21% of girls.8 An estimated one in 5 Ontario students in grades 7-12 (22%) used cannabis in 2019.9 Cannabis use by students across Canada increased from 16.7% in 2016 - 2017 to 18.1% in 2018 - 201910 It’s estimated that 1 in 6 teens who consume cannabis will develop a cannabis use disorder. 11 Cannabis was the most common substance associated with substance-related hospitalizations for youth aged 10 to 24 years in 2017 - 2018.12 1 – Journal of Toxicology, 2013 Nicholas Sullivan et al. 2,3 – OSDUHS 2019 4,5 – McKiernan &Fleming 2017 Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis, CCSA 6 – Drug Alcohol Depend, Winters and Lee 2008. 7 – Canadian Drug Summary – CCSA May 2020 8 – Health Behaviour in School-aged Children 2018, World Health Organization 9 – OSDUHS 2019 10 – Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2018–2019 (CSTADS) 11 – Government of Canada. (2019). Addiction to cannabis. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/drugsmedication/cannabis/health-effects/addictio n.html 12 – Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2019). Hospital Stays for Harm Caused by Substance Use Among Youth Age 10 to 24 COCAINE & CRACK ALSO KNOWN AS: Angie, blow, C, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, freebase, hard, Henry, nose candy, rock, snow, stardust. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant. The purified chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, was isolated from the plant more than 100 years ago. Before the development of synthetic local anesthetic, surgeons used cocaine to block pain.1 It was considered safe and used in toothache drops, nausea pills, energy tonics, and, of course, the original “Coca-Cola” beverage.2 However, research has since shown that cocaine is a powerfully addictive substance that can alter brain structure and function if used repeatedly.3 The two main varieties available are a watersoluble white powder, which is often mixed with other substances such as cornstarch, to be snorted or injected, and a water-insoluble whitish opaque crystal, known as crack.4 Crack cocaine or “freebase” are smokeable forms of cocaine which look like crystals or rocks that can be smoked or dissolved and injected. These cheaper forms of cocaine are made by chemically processing cocaine powder with baking soda or ammonia. In 2019, cocaine was the most commonly used illegal drug, accounting for approximately half (49%) of illegal drug use.5 Individuals who have tried cocaine have described the experience as a strong “high” that gave them a feeling of supremacy. However, once someone starts taking cocaine, one cannot predict or control the extent to which they will continue to use the drug. What do cocaine & crack look like and how are they used? continued
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