Preventing Problematic Substance Use in Youth - Described video
Transcript - 2018 CPHO Report, Described video
A water colour painting of a crowd celebrating appears on screen. The crowd is made up mostly of children of various ages. A man is lifting up a boy in celebration. Two women are in the crowd are cheering. The words “Preventing Problematic Substance Use in Youth” appears along the bottom of the screen.
Dr. Theresa Tam appears on screen. She is outside on a sunny day. A play structure in a neighbourhood is behind her. Her name and title, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, appear along the bottom of the screen. The report cover appears on screen alongside her.
- Hello. I’m Dr. Theresa Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
- My annual report this year is a snapshot of our health status as a nation – with a special focus on the prevention of problematic substance use among youth.
- In terms of our health status, we generally live long and healthy lives in Canada.
Dr. Tam is shown walking along a paved path around the playground. This transitions to show Dr. Tam walking down a street in front of houses.
- Compared to other high income countries, Canada ranks among the healthiest.
- That said, I do remain concerned about the influence of persistent health inequalities – that is – the gap in the health status between various populations.
- You will see in the report that chronic and infectious diseases, mental health and health inequalities are important issues.
- But I am especially concerned about problematic substance use among youth.
Animated text appears on screen that reads: “over 8000 opioid-related deaths in Canada since 2016”. Two drawings of pills appear beside the text.
- There have been over 8000 opioid-related deaths in Canada since 2016. This is tragic and unacceptable.
The screen fades out.
Animated text appears on screen that reads: “A quarter of Youth in grades 7 to 12 use alcohol excessively”. Above the text four drawings of figures of people appear. One figure has lines drawn through it. A drawing of a wine glass and a bottle appear beside the text.
- Also, high rates of problematic alcohol consumption are leading to a wide range of harms. A quarter of youth in grades 7 to 12 use alcohol excessively.
The screen fades out.
Animated text appears on screen that reads: “impacts of cannabis legalization”. A drawing of a cannabis leaf appears above the text.
- I am also keenly aware that changes to the legal status of cannabis underscore the need to help our youth understand that ‘legal’ does not mean ‘safe’.
Dr. Tam appears on screen walking through a parking lot that leads to an artistic painting on an outdoor wall. The colours in the painting are vivid against a white background.
- This is a key moment in Canada to examine and strengthen our response across all areas of potential action including prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.
- We have to act now to reverse some of these current trends for future generations.
- This will require collaboration among many partners to work together to encourage healthy behaviours and tackle stigma and discrimination.
- I hope this report will help to inform your efforts, stimulate discussion, and lead to renewed action to reduce harmful use of substances in Canada.
The camera pans across the outdoor painted mural wall. The cover of the report appears on screen. The text “Canada.ca/CPHOreport” appears along the bottom of the screen.
The text Public Health Agency of Canada appears on a black screen in English and French.
The word Canada appears on a black screen with an animation of a waving Canadian flag over the last A in the word.