The relationships between declines in drinking and alcohol problems among Ontario students: 1979-1991.

This article reports data from a 12-year cross-sectional study of drinking and drinking problems among students in grades 7-13 in Ontario schools. It was expected that rates of drinking and levels of drinking problems would be related. Large declines in drinking levels were found, however declines were found for only about half of the drinking-problem items. No declines were found in rates of the most serious problems and this indicates there is an unchanging proportion of students with drinking problems who will likely need interventions such as treatment and counseling.