News Highlights

CAMH Connexions

Winter 2005-06

CAMH Scientists Awarded Canada Research Chair

Dr. Shitij Kapur

In November, the Federal Ministry of Industry announced a total of $102.2 million in new funding for 126 Canada Research Chairs. CAMH was the recipient of two of these awards, with Dr. John Cairney, CAMH Research Scientist receiving his first award as a Canada Research Chair in Psychiatric Epidemiology, and the renewal of Dr. Shitij Kapur, CAMH Chief of Research, as Canada Research Chair in Imaging Technologies in Human Disease and Preclinical Models for an additional five years.

Dr. John Cairney

Both scientists have already made important contributions within their respective fields. Dr. Cairney's work is focused on gaining a better understanding of the social determinants of mental health among the poor, children with physical disabilities, and single mothers. Dr. Kapur's work looks at unlocking the mysteries of schizophrenia, using brain imaging technology to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Their continued discoveries will provide improved treatment and care for those with mental health issues.

Established in 2000, the Canada Research Chairs Program stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top five countries for scientific discoveries that make a difference in people's lives. Beyond the financial benefits of this award, Chair holders advance the frontiers of knowledge in their fields, not only through their own work, but also by teaching and supervising students and coordinating the work of other researchers.

Ontario Student Drug Use Survey Results Released

For the first time in over a decade, the use of both legal and illegal drugs among Ontario students from Grades 7-12 has declined significantly, and over the long term fewer Ontario students are using alcohol, tobacco and cannabis at an early age. However, binge drinking, frequent cannabis use and risky behaviour related to alcohol consumption and other drug use by youth is not going away.

According to the results of the 2005 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey (OSDUS) released by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the prevalence of student smoking is at its lowest rate since 1977 (at 14%), and the use of illicit drugs (including cannabis) has declined, with 71% of students reporting that they had not used any illicit drug (including cannabis) during the past year. Only 2% of 7th-graders in 2005 had smoked cigarettes by grade 4, compared to 16% in 1981, and 29% of this group had used alcohol by grade 6, compared to 42% in 2003.

The percentage who consume alcohol has decreased as well, from 66% to 62%, but drinking habits remain a problem. Twenty-three per cent of students reported binge drinking at least once during the month before the survey. In 2005, 16% of students reported drinking at a hazardous level, the same percentage that report symptoms of a drug use problem.

Fourteen per cent of students who are licensed drivers continue to drink and drive, while even more reported driving within one hour of smoking cannabis (20%). About one-quarter (29%) of all students report being a passenger with a driver who had been drinking, and 22% with a driver who had been using drugs.

"This is worrisome," says principle investigator Dr. Edward Adlaf, Research Scientist at CAMH and Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Toronto. "Although the rate of drinking and driving has not increased over the last survey, it still remains high, and translates into a large number of students-approximately 36,000 Ontario teens - who are putting themselves and other motorists at risk of injury. The numbers are even higher when we look at cannabis use and driving; approximately 53,000 teens engaged in this kind of risky behaviour."

CAMH's Ontario Student Drug Use Survey is the longest running school survey of adolescents in Canada. In the spring of 2005, 7,726 students in grades 7 to 12 participated in the survey administered by the Institute for Social Research, York University. A full copy of the report can be found on www.camh.net

Creative on Queen

On Saturday September 17, CAMH's Queen Street site came alive with the beat of Afro/Caribbean drummers, the rhythm of the Brazilian samba, and the rock-and-roll vibes of the Deloraines during CAMH's second annual Creative on Queen, a CAMH event that is part of the Queen West Art Crawl.

The Queen West Art Crawl is a weekend-long festival celebrating the arts organized by Toronto Artscape — a non-profit organization that creates space for the arts. The event featured three fantastic days of activities in which artists, arts organizations and businesses from Queen Street West joined together to bring their work to the community.

Original works of art by The Workman Theatre Project's Being Scene artists were also on display at the Queen Street site. Other great Creative on Queen activities included the St. Christopher's House Community Choir, art from native Canadian artists, delicious tidbits from the Gourmet Grill and organic produce from the Sunshine Market Garden.

CAMH is Smoke Free

On September 21, CAMH implemented a Smoke-free policy. This policy is not about quitting smoking, but making CAMH a safe and healthy environment for everyone — clients, staff, volunteers and visitors. Research has shown that many detrimental health consequences are associated with second-hand smoke, and that designated smoking rooms do not protect clients or staff from these effects.

As of this date smoking is no longer permitted inside CAMH buildings, within courtyards, in CAMH vehicles, or within a nine-metre radius of any entrance or air intake area. One entrance at each of our sites has a designated smoke-free entrance.

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