Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in North America

Regional Variation of Drug Abuse in North America

CANADA
Abuse varies in different regions of the country. Annual cannabis abuse is more prevalent in British Columbia (9.6 per cent) and Nova Scotia (7.4 per cent). Rates in Quebec and Alberta correspond to the national average of 6.5 per cent, while all other provinces are below the national average (HWC 1992a).

            Annual cocaine abuse is most prevalent in British Columbia (2.1 per cent), followed by Quebec (2.0 per cent) and Alberta and Ontario (1.1 per cent) (HWC 1992a).

USA
The illicit drug use rates remain highest in the Western States. Since 1988, the difference in prevalence by population density has narrowed, dropping in large metropolitan areas from 8.9 per cent in 1988 to 6 per cent in 1992, but remaining unchanged in non-metropolitan areas (U.N. 1992).