In 1970, 1974 and 1978 similar surveys of alcohol and drug use were conducted using 10% random samples of Vancouver secondary school students (grades 8-12). The reported use of alcohol increased from 61% in 1970 to 71% in 1974 and 78% in 1978, while the use of cannabis increased from 39% in 1970 to 42% in 1974 and 47% in 1978. The use of tobacco, at 72% in 1978, had increased from 64% in 1974. Stimulant use was about the same between 1974 and the 1978 rate of 15%. The use of hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin remained stable at about 20%, 10% and less than 2% respectively, between 1974 and 1978 but the use of depressants decreased slightly. More than eight percent of students reported having used cocaine. By 1978, girls had become almost as likely to use alcohol or drugs as boys, while in 1974 they were less likely to do so; drug usage also increased with age. Patterns of multiple drug use were qualitatively the same between 1974 and 1978. As in 1974, the 1978 sample showed little difference between those who had and had not received drug education in both their knowledge and use of drugs. (Author)