Recent Articles:

Below are past articles previously published in Drugs & Addiction Magazine. These are filled with current and relevant information and statistics and can be used as great conversation starters with youth.

Know Your DNA – How DNA Testing can help Predict Addiction

May 10, 2020

A “gold standard” study finds deleting Facebook is great for your mental health

January 31, 2019

It’s Bell Let’s Talk Day!

January 30, 2019

FDA’s opioids adviser accuses agency of having ‘direct’ link to crisis

January 25, 2019

New York Passes a Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ After Years-Long Efforts

January 22, 2019

Former Insys CEO pleads guilty to opioid kickback scheme

January 17, 2019

Resolve to Detox Your Social Circle

January 16, 2019

Easing test anxiety boosts low-income students’ biology grades

January 15, 2019

Craving insight into addiction

January 14, 2019

New book looks at the heart of Edmonton’s opioid epidemic through stories and art

January 11, 2019

People with low self-esteem tend to seek support in ways that backfire, study finds

January 10, 2019

Ban on cigarette sales in NYC pharmacies starts Jan. 1

January 9, 2019

Too many problems? Maybe coping isn’t the answer

January 8, 2019

Muslim youth group cleans up national parks amid government shutdown

January 7, 2019

For-profit college cancels $500M in student debt after fraud allegations

January 4, 2019

Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14

January 3, 2019

Sexting Teens

December 19, 2018

Screen Addiction: Today’s Biggest Threat to Schooling?

December 19, 2018

Texting Etiquette & Safety: 5 Rules for Keeping Your Kids & Teens Secure & Drama-Free

December 17, 2018

Amnesty International: Indigenous Peoples’ rights

December 17, 2018

New Canadians sworn in as Winnipeg museum celebrates International Human Rights Day

December 13, 2018

Statement by the Prime Minister on Human Rights Day

December 12, 2018

Fentanyl is the deadliest drug in America, CDC confirms

December 12, 2018

The Illustrated Version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

December 11, 2018

Homeless man with terminal cancer donates to holiday toy drive

December 10, 2018

Malala Yousafzai Honored by Harvard for Her Work Promoting Girls’ Education

December 7, 2018

Boy gets Colorado town to overturn snowball fight ban

December 6, 2018

Fortnite addiction is forcing kids into video game rehab

December 5, 2018

Clarity on Cannabis

December 4, 2018

Mental health education recommended for RCMP members following inquest

November 30, 2018

Social Media – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

November 28, 2018

Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence

November 27, 2018

#GIVINGTUESDAY TODAY ONLY YOUR GIFT CAN BE MATCHED

November 27, 2018

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

November 26, 2018

#ENDViolence in schools

November 23, 2018

Statement by Minister MacLeod on National Child Day

November 22, 2018

November 20th marks National Children’s Day across Canada

November 21, 2018

National Child Day

November 20, 2018

Facts & Figures

November 16, 2018

The Push For Change®

November 15, 2018

Winter Giving 101

November 14, 2018

First came the stroke, then the inspiration…

November 13, 2018

Canadian Youth Speakers Bureau: Scott Hammell

November 9, 2018

John Connors’ brilliant IFTA Award speech

November 9, 2018

Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone

November 8, 2018

This teen pizzeria employee traveled 3 hours to deliver pizza to a man with terminal cancer

November 6, 2018

Video captures joyful law student’s reaction to passing her bar exam

November 5, 2018

More teens in Sask. are smokers than in any other province: Health Canada survey

November 5, 2018

MADD Canada launches annual red ribbon campaign in Halifax

November 2, 2018

Young cannabis users who quit see improvements in memory, ability to learn

October 31, 2018

Nova Scotia’s Health Department says talks underway for province’s first overdose prevention site

October 31, 2018

Crystal meth eclipsing opioids on the Prairies: ‘There’s no lack of meth on the street’

October 29, 2018

Opioids Don’t Discriminate: An Interactive Experience.

October 26, 2018

Guelph police warn drug users of spike in purple fentanyl

October 25, 2018

Canadians share powerful stories of teachers who made lasting impressions

October 24, 2018

What exactly are you inhaling when you vape?

October 23, 2018

Study ADHD Medication Overdoses

June 14, 2018

A Cry for Guidance

January 18, 2018

Vaping 101 – Health Relation, Benefits, Dangers, Fun Facts and More

January 2, 2018

Your Friend’s Substance Abuse

September 15, 2017

Depression

September 15, 2017

Methamphetamines

September 15, 2017

Alcohol

September 15, 2017

25 Healthy Ways to Feel Better

September 15, 2017

Clarity on Cannabis

December 4, 2018

What are the signs my child may have a problem with
cannabis or other substances?
• Ignoring responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Giving up activities that they used to find important or enjoyable
• Using more cannabis, more frequently
• Feeling unable to cut down or control cannabis use
• Changes in mood (e.g., feeling irritable and paranoid)
• Changing friends
• Having difficulties with family members
• Being secretive or dishonest
• Changing sleep habits, appetite, or other behaviours
• Borrowing money or having more money than usual
It is sometimes hard to detect a problem with cannabis use. Some signs of a cannabis
problem can look like typical youth behaviour. Talk to your child and find out if there’s a
problem.

What can I do to help prevent cannabis from doing harm
to my child?
Stay connected: Adolescence is a time when your child may want
to pull away. Respect their independence, but stay connected at the
same time. Build a strong relationship with your child by participating in
activities with them and getting to know their friends. Having a healthy
relationship will increase the likelihood that you can help them to make
informed and safer choices.
Talk about it: Have open, ongoing talks so your child understands
the effects of cannabis and the legal risks of having, using, selling, or
sharing it. Pick a time when you’re both calm. Let the discussion happen
casually or ask your child to let you know when they’re ready to talk.
Be positive: When talking about cannabis, avoid trying to frighten,
shame or lecture your child. Build trust with active listening skills, such
as repeating back what they say, using the language they use, asking for
clarification and thanking them for sharing.
Focus on safety: Let your child know about safer choices when
it comes to cannabis and work with them to establish limits and
understand consequences. Be there to help even if cannabis is
involved, such as if they need a ride because they don’t want to get in a
car with someone who has used cannabis.
Be informed: Your child may be learning about substances in school
and through other parts of their lives. Be prepared with facts about
cannabis so you can respond to questions they may have.

Be supportive: Youth use cannabis for many reasons: to fit in, to feel
good, or to cope with stress. Be ready to help your child find healthier
coping strategies or professional help if needed. See the next page to
find resources to support you and your child.
Be an example: Reflect on your own use of substances. If you use
alcohol as a stress reliever, you might be giving the message that
substance use is an appropriate way to handle life’s challenges. Try
using other coping strategies, like going for a walk after a stressful day.
If your child asks about your substance use, you can be honest but use
the opportunity to discuss why people use substances, the dangers of
substance use and how your child can avoid making mistakes you may
have made.

Where can I get more information and help?
The resources below offer more information and help for parents/caregivers and youth:
• For vital information on reducing harms of drugs and alcohol, visit DrugSafe.ca
• For more ideas on how to talk to your child about cannabis, check out Drug Free Kids
Canada’s Cannabis Talk Kit with scripts and talking points
• To learn about Alberta’s approach to cannabis legalization, visit Alberta.ca/cannabis
• To learn about safer use of cannabis, see Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use
Guidelines – youth version or public version
• For information on safer use of alcohol, see Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines
• For information about treatment options in your community, talk to your doctor or
contact the Addiction Helpline (Alberta Health Services): 1-866-332-2322
• Youth looking for help can contact Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

www.albertahealthservices.ca