A new study shows that young adults are more likely to be under the influence of marijuana while driving than alcohol.
Findings from the 2011 CAMH Monitor survey of substance use a trend that was released Wednesday by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found that youngsters usually drove one hour after they smoked marijuana. The study also found evidence that these young adults were more likely to drive under the influence of marijuana than alcohol.
"More young adults are reporting that they drive within an hour of using cannabis -- even more than those who report drinking and driving," said Dr. Robert Mann, CAMH Senior Scientist and lead researcher. "Yet the risks of doing so are significant."
According to the report that was published in Science Daily, nine percent of young adults drive around under the influence of marijuana while only 6 percent drink and drive.
The study included the monitoring of = 3,039 adults aged 18 or older from across Ontario and is the longest ongoing survey of adult substance use in Canada.
It was also found that users of this drug are older. It was found that 16 percent of the total number of marijuana users is aged 50 or older. This number is five times higher than in 1977.
While 81 percent of the adult population in Ontario was found to drink, most of these people drank occasionally and not excessively.
"Women are drinking more than in the past," said Dr. Mann. "Several key drinking indicators show an increase among women." Six per cent of women reported a pattern of drinking daily in 2011, compared to three percent in 1998. About eight per cent of women were drinking in ways that were hazardous or harmful, up from five per cent in 1998.
"Binge drinking also remains high, particularly among 18- to 29-year olds," said Dr. Mann. "Overall, nine per cent of Ontario drinkers consume five or more drinks at one time each week, which represents 691,700 people." The survey also showed that the average number of drinks consumed weekly has increased, as has the number of drinkers overall who report daily drinking.
