regional substance use

SUBSTANCE USE IN TORONTO 1

Running head: SUBSTANCE USE IN TORONTO

Substance Use in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Assignment 2: Module 2

Submitted to: Dr. Mark Welty

Date: October 31, 2012

Prepared by: Jennifer Ouellette

Substance Abuse Counseling | FP6900 A01

Argosy University


Substance Use in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Located on the Northwest Shore of Lake Ontario (the 8th largest fresh-water lake

in the world), Toronto, Ontario Canada, has 2.7 million residents and one of the world's

most diverse and multicultural populations. Toronto is in plant hardiness zone 6, and on

the eastern edge of the Carolinian Forest zone (Toronto, 1998-2012). There are

approximately 10 million trees in Toronto and more than 1,600 parks which span

approximately 8,000 hectares of land (Toronto, 1998-2012).

Nevertheless, among all this beauty and nature is a dark side, as with all big cities

in North America or even around the World, Toronto struggles with economic issues just

the same. It is estimated that as of May 2011, there were 400 homeless people living on

the streets and approximately 5,086 homeless in total. Shelters were used by 22,276

people with only 56 homeless shelter facilities available (Toronto, 2011) and some of the

harshest weather conditions.

In 2010, the unemployment rate was 10%, which is quite high, the youth

unemployment was even higher at approximately 18%. It is estimated that in 2010,

160,000 people were unemployed and only 40,000 were able to receive Employment

Insurance assistance (less than 25% of the unemployed). Toronto has a higher

concentration of poverty than its surrounding areas with 1 in 6 families living in poverty.

Unfortunately, high levels of unemployment, homeless, and poverty cause people

to want to make more money and/or become depressed. In the author’s opinion, these are

the very reasons people turn to drugs. Drug abuse affects everyone, from children to the


elderly. It has been noted in many studies that drugs are related to criminal behavior and

so on down the road. The illicit drug market in Toronto is booming. Police are seizing

tonnes of this crap from Toronto, where it is being shipped across borders into other

countries. Despite efforts to make drugs illegal, to warn people of the side-effects, and to

treat people with addiction, drugs still remain as big of an issue as ever.

3–4 commonly used drugs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (ingredients)

According to the Research Group on Drug Use, current trends in substance abuse

reveal alcohol, marijuana and “designer” drugs as the top used substances among

Torontonians (Toronto, 2002). In Toronto, 78% adults indicated using alcohol in the past

year (CAMH, 2004). In a student survey, 61.5% of the 6,616 students surveyed admitted

to using alcohol at least once in the past year; and approximately 26.5% of the students

reported binge drinking (more than 5 drinks on one occasion) in the past year (CAMH,

2004).

Marijuana is one of the top illicit drugs used in Toronto. In a study completed by

the Canadian Association of Mental Health, 15% of our adults, 25% of our students

(CAMH, 2004), and 72% of our street youth (Toronto, 2002) have reported using

marijuana in the past year.

“Designer drugs” are also becoming quite popular in Toronto. Designer drugs are

mixtures of the popular drug ecstasy, examples of these Designer drugs are MDMA, and

PMA (Toronto, 2002). Designer drugs caused 27 known deaths in Toronto from 1999 to

2002 (CAMH, 2004). Current statistics report that 4% students and just under 3% adults

report using Designer drugs (CAMH, 2004)(Toronto, 2002). In a hospital emergency


study, 10.4% of the patients reported using one or more "Designer drugs" within 24 hours

of their visit, these included Ecstasy, GHB or Ketamine (Toronto, 2002).

Effects and symptoms for each drug: both short-term and long-term effects

Toronto’s youth often drink alcohol in excess. Older youth tend to pre-drink

before going out to a club or bar. Alcohol is a suppressant, it loosens the muscles and

reduces activity of the central nervous system, causing loss of fine-motor coordination

and a staggering gait (Indiana University, 1995). Excessive alcohol intoxication can

decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, breathing, and result in poor reflex reactions.

Some facts from Indiana University reveal the following symptoms after a certain level

of alcohol intoxication is reached: a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.10-0.125

impairs motor coordination and good judgement, affects speech, poor balance, blurred

vision, delayed reaction time and impaired hearing. Driving a motor vehicle is illegal at

this level of intoxication. With a BAC of 0.13 to 0.15, symptoms continue as above, but

euphoria dissipates and dysphoria sets in, which is a feeling of anxiety and restlessness.

A BAC of 0.16 to 0.20 continues the symptoms, making the person quite sloppy,

dysphoric and nauseated. A person with a BAC of 0.25 now requires assistance with

walking and is now in a state of total mental confusion, dysphoria with nausea and some

vomiting usually occurs. A 0.30 BAC causes further loss of consciousness and, worse, a

0.40 BAC and up will cause a coma and possible death due to respiratory arrest (Indiana

University, 1995).

Binge drinking and alcohol addiction cause many health problems, including, but

not limited to, alcohol poisoning, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, liver disease,


damage to nerves, sexual problems, permanent brain damage, deficienct Vitamin B1

(amnesia, apathy and disorientation), ulcers, inflammation of stomach walls,

malnutrition, and mouth or throat cancer (Foundation for a Drug-Free World, 2006–

2012).

The next most common drug in Toronto is marijuana. Marijuana is derived from

the Cannabis sativa plant, it comes in clumps of dry, shredded green and brown mix of

flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves. There are approximately 400 different chemicals in

marijuana, but the main active chemical is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The only reported deficits related to marijuana use are a decline in attention and

memory abilities (Levinthal, 2008) and, the inhalation process, which obstructs breathing.

One marijuana joint is said to be the equivalent of (up to) five tobacco cigarettes

(Levinthal, 2008). However, no evidence has linked marijuana smoking to increased lung

illnesses or risks thereof. The biggest concern with marijuana is the effect of driving

under the influence of this drug (Toronto, 2002). It is said to cause impairments in

visibility, reaction time, and coordination, which can significantly affect driving ability.

According to the Canadian Association of Mental Health (CAMH), after

Marijuana, Ecstasy and Ketamine are very popular among Torontonians. These drugs are

considered “designer” drugs. Ketamine although legal for its intended use, is a veterinary

anesthetic and is often classified as a “designer” drug because it is used in combination

with other drugs. It can be bought in liquid and powder form and is taken orally, injected,

smoked or snorted (CAMH, 2004). While using Ketamine, and for several weeks after

using, psychological difficulties will occur such as confusion, depression, insomnia,


craving, anxiety, and paranoia. The physical changes associated with Ketamine use

include muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye

movement, fever, chills or sweating (ACDE, 2001).

Ecstasy or, more technically, MDMA, a chemical found in Ecstasy, was originally

an appetite suppressant and psychiatric drug that became illegal in 1985. It is normally

sold in pill form and it can be injected or, less popular, crushed and snorted. It is quick

acting, it speeds up the nervous system and enhances mood. The effects of Ecstasy can

last for 4 - 6 hours or longer.

Toxicity, consequences, and symptoms of Ecstasy are often difficult to measure

because of different drug sources, chemicals and agents used to manufacture them, as

well as the possibility of contaminants in those chemicals (American Council for Drug

Education, 2001). However, the American Council for Drug Education has put together a

list of effects normally felt by a person using Ecstasy, these effects are: rapid heart rate,

higher body temperature, elevated blood pressure, nausea, anxiety, feelings of euphoria,

excessive sweating and no appetite. If a user takes a higher dose than his or her body can

handle, the drug can cause convulsions, irrational behavior, and hallucinations (The

American Council for Drug Education, 2001). After taking Ecstasy, users have reported

insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, concentration and depression (The American Council for

Drug Education, 2001).

Ecstasy is a “Schedule 1” controlled substance alongside heroin, cocaine, and

LSD. The fine for possession, dealing or manufacturing Ecstasy can be as high as


$100,000 and up to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the amount (American

Council for Drug Education, 2001).

If the user overdoses, he or she will start to feel hot and ill, complain of a

headache, racing heart, feeling faint, tremors and unable to urinate; he or she will become

confused and speak weird. If medical attention is not sought, asphyxiation and death by

hyperthermia, hyponatremia, and over stimulation of the nervous system (causing heart

attack or brain hemorrhage) can occur.

The long term effect of Ecstasy use is memory loss and, because it depletes

serotonin, sleeping, eating, thinking, behavior, sexual function, and sensitivity to pain are

also affected (American Council for Drug Education, 2001).

Toronto: Relating the Community with the Popular Drugs

• The most commonly used drugs for which youth seek treatment are alcohol and

cannabis which are available pretty much anywhere in the world.

The other most commonly used drugs, the “designer” drugs, have actually been

coming from Toronto, so there is an abundance of these drugs in this city. Toronto,

unfortunately, has been found to be one of the leading exporters in “designer” drugs as

Colombia is for cocaine (Godfrey, 2012). From ecstasy to methamphetamines, tonnes

were found by the police being shipped abroad after being made in the Greater Toronto

Area (Godfrey, 2012).

Young people like designer drugs because they are cheap, one pill is usually 50

cents to make and is sold for sometimes $15. The effects of these drugs can last for many


hours, they look harmless, and they are easily hidden; consequently, adding popularity to

these drugs.

Unfortunately, drugs often start out as “experiments”, but because of the

chemicals, individual reactions, and genetic make-up of an individual, he or she may

develop an addiction to the drug and continue to use it. This addiction can lead to serious

consequences, physically, emotionally, and socially; therefore, it is important to look at

how substance abuse can be corrected and treated.

Treatment Options

When treating for substance abuse, the goal is to prevent re-lapse. Treatment

aims at minimizing risk factors and maximizing resilience. An individual going through

treatment experiences five distinct “stages of change.” (Levintal, 2008). These are:

“precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.” (Levinthal,

2008, p. 405). A good treatment program will recognize these changes. Also, a

treatment program that has different cultural perspectives would be ideal, so that the

individual can relate his or her problem to their cultural understanding.

A successful treatment for abuse of Alcohol and Marijuana would be alternative-

behavior programming; the patient learns to trade the negative dependence (on alcohol or

marijuana) that harms him or her to a positive dependence. The positive dependence

alternative causes no harm and is enjoyed (Levinthal, 2008). An Alcoholics Annonymous

program that has group counseling is a good idea for alcohol dependence. For Marijuana,

a good remedy for quitting tobacco smoke would be a good treatment for marijuana

abuse and dependence because the withdrawal effects are similar to tobacco withdrawal.


For long terms users of the “designer” drugs, the withdrawal symptoms can be

severe and cause medical complications. Treatment programs for “designer” drugs should

offer sedatives, counseling, behavior modification, and detoxification. Aiming to reduce

the risks of detoxification over time (Addiction Search, 2012).

Any healing process takes time and the person that is healing should be made

aware of this. The treatment should be seen as a healing process and just like any other

healing process, it takes time to fully recover. Therefore, a good substance abuse

treatment program will acknowledge this and allow the patient to recover at his or her

own pace.


References
Addiction Search (2012). Ecstasy addiction, abuse, and treatment. Addiction Search.

Retrieved on October 31, 2012 from

http://www.addictionsearch.com/treatment_articles/article/ecstasy-addiction-

abuse-and-treatment_31.html

American Council for Drug Education. (2001). Ecstasy. Basic Facts About Drugs.

American Council for Drug Education. Retrieved on October 31, 2012 from

http://www.acde.org/common/ecstasy.htm

Canadian Association for Mental Health. (CAMH). (2004). Drug Use by Population.

Drugs 2004 Section 1A and 1B. Retrieved on October 30, 2012 from

http://www.toronto.ca/health/rgdu/pdf/rgdu_2004_drug_use_in_the_mainstream_

population.pdf

Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (2006–2012). Alcohol. Drug Facts. The Truth About

Alcohol. Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Retrieved on October 30, 2012 from

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/short-term-long-term-

effects.html

Godfrey, T. (2012). Exclusive: Canada's illicit drug export boom. Toronto Sun

Newspaper, January 28, 2012. Retrieved on October 30, 2012 from

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/28/exclusive-canadas-illicit-drug-export-

boom


Indiana University. (1995). Effects of Alcohol Intoxication. University of Indiana. Last

updated April 3, 1995. Retrieved on October 30, 2012 from

http://www.indiana.edu/~adic/effects.html

Levinthal, C. F. (2008). Chapter 10: Marijuana. Drugs, Society and Criminal Justice, 3/e

XML VitalSource eBook for Education Management Corporation, 3rd Edition.

Pearson Learning Solutions.

Toronto (2011). Quick Facts. Shelter, Support & Housing Administration, May 2011.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved on October 30, 2012 from

http://www.toronto.ca/housing/pdf/quickfacts.pdf

Toronto. (2002). Report on Drug Use in Toronto. May 16, 2002. Access Toronto.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved on October 28, 2012 from

http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/9da959222128b9e885256618006646d3/0

3734a016e0c00c685256df60045f1b7?OpenDocument

Toronto (1998-2012). Toronto’s Geography. City of Toronto Website. Toronto, Ontario,

Canada. Retrieved on October 30, 2012 from

http://www.toronto.ca/toronto_facts/geography.htm

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