"Nature, extent, and frequency of both licit and illicit drug use amongst the Cayman Islands population aged 15 years and older"
December 2000

WHY SURVEY AND MONITOR THE DRUG USE OF STUDENTS?
It is important to determine and monitor alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among adolescent students for the following reasons:

1. Adolescents are at a pivotal stage in their development and adverse effects of drug use could lead to other problems later in adolescence and adulthood. The survey will point to areas where prevention programmes and treatment may be necessary.
2. Due to the scientific basis of the survey, the data provided can either confirm or challenge anecdotal and media reports regarding the nature of drug use and its consequences. Thus, the results of the survey can inform the public and challenge myths.
3. Patterns and preferences in drug use and thus consequences can change quickly. (E.g. the prevalent use of crack cocaine and the associated health risk of AIDS with intravenous drug use).
4. Even if the number of students using drugs remains stable over time, or is declining, the pattern of drug use and the associated harm can differ dramatically over time.
5. If conducted regularly, every two years, the survey will provide a basis for programme and policy evaluation of goals established by government and non-governmental agencies. (E.g. the National Strategic Plan for Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation).

WHAT DOES THE SURVEY TELL US?
The Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey (CISDUS) provides important information that serves as a basis for evaluating the harm caused by drug use. Specifically, it tells us:

• The size of the adolescent drug using population;
• The factors that correlate with drug use; and
• The identification of high risk groups.

For highlights of the survey click here.

Cayman Islands Drug and Alcohol Survey

WHY SURVEY AND MONITOR DRUG USE AMONGST THE ADULT POPULATION?
Drug use is a dynamic phenomenon heavily influenced by changes in society. A survey of this type can provide an overview of drug-related concerns, including the nature and extent of substances used in the Cayman Islands, the geographic location of more serious problems ("hot spots"), and groups at high risk. Monitoring drug use serves the following purposes:

• It builds knowledge and increases understanding of drug related problems. Moreover, this type of survey can inform the public about issues related to drug use, dispel some myths, and educate residents about the risks to which they and their offspring may be exposed;
• It informs social policy and can assist public agencies to determine the type, amount, and distribution of resources needed to address substance abuse; and
• It serves as a tool for evaluating programmes and objectives set by government departments and non-governmental agencies. Those performing front-line work in addictions and family counselling can obtain useful information about the factors associated with alcohol and other drug use, as well as feedback regarding the availability and efficacy of treatment in the six districts covered by the survey.

HOW WAS THE SURVEY CONDUCTED?
This survey covered the six principal districts of the Cayman Islands--George Town, West Bay, Bodden Town, East End, North Side, and Cayman Brac. Due to its size, Little Cayman was excluded from this survey. As is customary in the case of nationwide surveys, a sample was selected to represent the adult population, as the inclusion of the entire population was not economically feasible. A critical objective in these studies, therefore, is to ensure that the sample is carefully selected so that survey results can be applied to the population as a whole.

The Economics and Statistics Office (ESO) of the Cayman Islands Government was solicited to generate a sample that represented all residents of the six districts who were 15 years of age and older. The ESO, which is responsible for conducting the census, maintains an updated registry of all households in the Cayman Islands . The goal was to identify and contact between 100-300 individuals (no more than one per household) in each district, the number depending upon the population of each district.

For the complete survey in a PDF format; click here.