P.E.I. students becoming 'nonchalant' about pot use

Alcohol and marijuana abuse is a "definite problem" on Prince Edward Island, says a Charlottetown police officer who spends much of his time talking to students.

Const. Tim Keizer, a school resource officer, was responding on CBC News:Compass to a recent Health Canada report that said students on P.E.I. have the highest rates of binge drinking and marijuana use in the country.

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He said it's a problem on P.E.I. as it is in other provinces.

It's still a definite problem here on Prince Edward Island.- Const. Tim Keizer

"We're still seeing a resurgence in marijuana and alcohol and big parties," he said. "It's still a definite problem here on Prince Edward Island."

Keizer said one of the reasons is the changing attitudes toward marijuana use.

"In days gone by, people were shunned for using marijuana but there's a real mind shift right now," he said. "There is still a nonchalant attitude toward marijuana use by young persons at the high school level for sure so I imagine this translates down to Grades 7, 8 and 9 as well."

He also said students are not just using it for recreation, but to cope with problems such as anxiety or depression.

"I find after speaking with students there's a deeper lying things that are going on with the child, with relationships, with things that are going on at home, stress, anxiety, depression."

Keizer said it's important parents talk to their children about drugs and alcohol.

"If you think this is a problem, the odds are it is a problem," he said.

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