Youth and Drugs in Canada: What the Numbers Really Say

When adults talk about young people and drugs, the conversation usually swings between panic and denial. Some insist every teenager is vaping or experimenting with fentanyl; others assume it’s just a phase with no real consequences. The truth, as always, lies in the data and in listening to young people themselves. In Canada, youth drug use is shifting. It’s less about “just say no” campaigns and more about navigating cannabis legalization, vaping culture, and the risks of a toxic, unpredictable drug supply.

The Landscape: What Drugs Are Youth Using?

According to the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS 2021-22):

Cannabis: 18% of students (grades 7–12) reported using cannabis in the past year. Usage climbs with age: less than 2% in grade 7 compared to 37% in grade 12.
Alcohol: Still the most common substance — about 40% of students reported drinking in the past year.
Vaping: A major concern. About 29% of students said they had vaped in the past 30 days, with flavoured nicotine products leading the trend.
Illicit drugs (like cocaine, ecstasy, meth): Much lower, with around 3% reporting past-year use.
Opioids: Prescription misuse (like Percocet or OxyContin) is under 5%, but the risk is high due to fentanyl contamination in the unregulated supply.

Why Youth Use Drugs

Curiosity & social pressure: Classic reasons haven’t gone away.
Stress & mental health: Rates of anxiety and depression among youth are climbing, and substances sometimes become coping tools.
Accessibility: Cannabis is legal, vaping products are everywhere, and unregulated drugs are often cheaper and more available than parents realize.

Risks

Brain development: Using cannabis or alcohol heavily before the mid-20s is linked to changes in memory, learning, and impulse control.
Overdose: Even occasional experimentation is riskier now — because the drug supply is more toxic than in the past. Fentanyl has been found in cocaine, MDMA, and counterfeit pills.
Stigma & silence: Fear of punishment can stop young people from asking for help when they need it most.

What Works Better Than Fear

Research shows scare tactics don’t stop youth drug use. What does help?

Honest education — not exaggerations, but facts youth can trust.
Harm reduction tools — like teaching how to use naloxone, test drugs, or set limits.
Safe spaces to talk — youth are more likely to listen to adults who listen back.
Mental health supports — reducing the stress and trauma that fuel risky use.

Drug use among Canadian youth isn’t spiraling out of control — but it’s not harmless either. Cannabis and vaping dominate, alcohol is still widespread, and the poisoned drug supply raises the stakes for even “one-time” use. The path forward isn’t panic, punishment, or silence. It’s listening, educating, and giving youth the tools to make safer choices.

Because the real question isn’t whether some young people will try drugs — it’s whether they’ll have the knowledge and support to survive it.

If you or someone you know needs help with substance use, we can connect you to trusted counselling and support resources.