Does Canada have loads of social problems amongst teenagers?

[Doctor]

I have heard from some people that Canada has a very severe problem concerning social issues (such as smoking, drugs, depression, alcohol, peer pressure etc) amongst teenagers. Is this true? And would you say the problem was bigger than the teenage problems that are widespread in the UK?

In the future, I'd like to move to Canada from England but I'm worried that any children that I may have may become affected by these problems (which is why I'm asking) and like any decent parent, I'd want to raise them in a secure environment, where these issues aren't prevalent. I'm thinking of moving to Vancouver, Winnipeg or Ottawa (or a town/city which is in close proximity to one of these cities).

[VG]

Yes very true. The teenagers do have many peace gatherings and sometimes even smoke maple leaves.

[Penelope]

I think no matter where in the world you go, you will always find social problems with teenagers. It is all dependent though on circumstance. In Canada, I think the main factor to this is because of the lack of parental guidance for kids. Yet, that can be said for anywhere too.
Canadian teenagers drink, some smoke pot, feel peer pressure etc but I know its not because of our geographical location. I sure when you were a teen growing up in the UK, you tried pot and drank under the age.
I believe that places like the states have a higher rate of social problems, than Canada. I grew up in Ottawa and its a great place to live. I live in a suburb and its great. You might think a canadian stereotype is kids getting on their snowmobiles and go and smoke weed in the forest. Some do, but its probably not all that different than the UK.
You will always find social problems, no matter how "perfect" a city or suburb is. My school was a great catholic high school on Ottawa and yes there were those druggies and odd people but they were still good people.
I think its not where you live, but its how you teach your children how to respond to certain things how to say no to drugs, alcohol. I'd like to go somewhere and find every teenager living there not drinking or doing things their not supposed to.
If you want to though, stay away from the big, big cities like Toronto & Montreal. I've been to both and its a lot different than Ottawa. Winnipeg is great too, been there. Their biggest problem is the amount of drunk natives living there. Which is sad.
All, in all, Canada is a great place to raise your children but its up to you to raise them so they no whats wrong and whats right.

[Needful Sinner]

hmmm, define 'loads'.

Canada in my humble opinion doesn't have any less or any more 'social problems' than any other developed country, with those problems being the exact same as any other developed country.
What defines whether it is a problem or not rests wholy on upbringing and support given in trying times.

Yes social media has it's pitfalls, there are predators - there are kids who get so wrapped up in teen angst and drama online they get blinded to what's real and solvable.
Others get so fixated my music videos and such they figure they themselves require the same dimensions as a barbie doll.
Drugs do exist and the temptation is the exact same as when I was young be it pot cigarettes or alcohol.

How able you are at parenting is what makes the difference, regardless of country of origin.

I was raised in Vancouver, by a single mom no less... I think I turned out fine, I am of sound mind and body, despite only reaching Grade 12 in education I feel I'm adequately learned and express myself well. And quite obviously there would be some who fell through the cracks - but I hardly blame Canada for it.
Despite peer pressure and how difficult it can be being a teen, Canada has advantages that perhaps aren't on your radar that prove equally as beneficial.

Healthcare, sports, a tolerant society, precious little violence, an excellent education system and other intangables.

The Economist magazine again has ranked three Canadian cities are among the world's top five most livable cities, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary made The Economist magazine's 2012 list released earlier this week. The survey ranks 140 cities based on a number of factors, including health care, stability, culture and environment, education and infrastructure...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012...omist.html

Canada best G20 country to be a woman; Policies that promote gender equality, safeguards against violence and exploitation and access to healthcare make Canada the best place to be a woman among the world's biggest economies, a global poll of experts showed on Wednesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/1...0420120613

Canada rises to Top Five in world economic freedom ranking
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/18/...s-to-18th/

There are pros and cons to everything, but I hope Canada provides a good yin and yang balance.
Of note, as much as there may be social problems, there exists also people and organizations to help people through exactly that.
Best of luck for your family regardless of which way the wind blows

[Maclabeb]

No worse than anywhere else.

[Rowboat]

Nope In Canada teens know everything