Substance use among Canadian students has stayed mostly the same from 2021–22 to 2023–24.
Alcohol continues to be the most commonly used substance, with 22% of students reporting alcohol use in the past 30 days. Vaping (15%) and cannabis (12%) were the next most common substances. Older students, especially those in Grade 12, reported higher use of most substances.
Access to alcohol and other substances remains a concern. About 69% of students said alcohol was easy to get, and many students got alcohol through friends or family. Some students received alcohol from a parent with permission, at a party, or from someone they knew. On average, students reported having their first drink of alcohol at about 13 years old.
Substance use differed among groups of students. Students in rural areas reported higher rates of alcohol use, vaping, illegal drug use, and using more than one substance. Some gender-diverse students also reported higher rates of cigarette use, illegal drug use, and using prescription medications without a recommendation.
Many students do not fully understand the risks of substance use. Some younger students did not know that regular use could be harmful, while some older students viewed cannabis and vaping as lower risk. When looking for information about alcohol and drugs, students most often used official websites, school classes, or healthcare professionals.
Alcohol use can lead to unsafe situations. About 21% of students reported high-risk drinking, meaning they had five or more drinks at one time in the past year. Some students drove after drinking or were passengers with someone who had been drinking. A small number needed emergency help because of alcohol or other substance use, showing the importance of education, prevention, and support for youth.
It is safest not to use alcohol during pregnancy.