>Survey shows increased use of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs by students
Anonymous Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Mon Feb 28, 2011, 07:47 AM EST
OAKLAND — Members of the Garrett County Drug Free Communities Coalition are concerned about trends in destructive behavior demonstrated by county teens.
A Youth Risk Behavior survey was administered to all county students in grades six through 12 in March 2010. The data from the 1,941 surveys has been analyzed and the results were shared with coalition members at their February meeting.
Students were asked to report at what age they first tried cigarettes, alcohol or marijuana; how often they had used one of the substances in the past 30 days; their perception of parental disapproval; and the perception of potential risk of using any of the substances.
Results indicated that more than half of all 12th-grade students have drunk alcohol; 30 percent have smoked cigarettes; and more than 22 percent admitted using marijuana or smokeless tobacco.
Survey results indicated that the use of cigarettes was introduced at a younger age than marijuana or alcohol, but that younger students are trying those substances at an earlier age. Sixth-graders indicated an average age of 9 for trying all three substances. The average age of onset reported by 12th-graders was significantly higher, ranging from 13 for cigarettes, 12 for alcohol and 13 for marijuana.
Ninety-two percent of sixth- and eighth-grade students indicated that their parents would say use of any of those substances is very wrong. However, that number decreased to 64 percent of students in 12th grade who thought their parents would find those types of behavior very wrong.
A high percentage of all students indicated a belief that smoking is harmful — 87 percent of sixth-graders and 68 percent of 12th-graders. Results were similar for marijuana use with 90 percent of sixth-grade students but just 52 percent of seniors. Alcohol use was looked down on by 60 percent of sixth-grade students and 37 percent of seniors. Students were also asked to report on their use of prescription drugs. Just 1.8 percent of sixth-grade students reported using prescription drugs to “get high,” but that number rose to 12.5 percent of seniors.
One of the more startling results of the survey revealed that very few males in grades 11 and 12, 27 percent and 20 percent, respectively, perceived having one or two drinks per day a great or moderate risk.
The coalition meets monthly to discuss and address problems relating to drug and alcohol treatment and prevention issues facing the youth of Garrett County.
In the past year, the coalition has launched a program called “Majority Rules.” Statistics have shown that seven out of 10 Northern and Southern Garrett schools students do not drink.
Coalition members plan to continue to study these statistics and modify their plan of action to address areas of great concern or where results indicate an increasing risk to the well-being of Garrett County youth. The group will continue its support for the seven Students Against Destructive Decisions that exist in the county and continue its community initiatives.
County Health Officer Rodney Glotfelty said the results of the survey will prove invaluable in future efforts of the coalition and thanked the Garrett County Board of Education for allowing and supporting the administration of this survey.
The coalition is comprised of area residents and representatives from the health department, government agencies and the school system. Kerri Margoff, a field supervisor with Garrett County Division of Parole and Probation, chairs the group.
The next meeting will be held at 11:45 a.m. on March 9 at the Garrett County Health Department.
Contact Angie Brant at abrant@times-news.com
