Pubdate: Thu, 26 Oct 2000
Source: San Luis Obispo County Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2000 The Tribune
Contact:  P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-0112
Fax: 805.781.7905
Website: http://www.thetribunenews.com/
Author: Matt Lazier, The Tribune

LOCAL TEENS ADMIT DRUG USE

Kids Are Aware Of Dangers, But Many Still Indulge

A teen health survey released Wednesday revealed mixed news about local 
kids. While most said they understood the dangers of drug and alcohol use, 
for example, 41 percent of local 11th graders reported driving while drunk.

Area educators praised the good news in the results, but raised concerns 
about the more worrisome figures.

"The millions of dollars we spend to educate students about the dangers of 
these behaviors has been successful," said John Barnhart, assistant 
superintendent from the county Office of Education. He spoke at a press 
conference Wednesday, presenting results from the California Healthy Kids 
Survey.

"The majority of them do not use alcohol, tobacco and drugs. But many still 
do," Barnhart said.

A third of 11th graders and 21 percent of ninth graders had engaged in 
binge drinking, saying they consumed five or more drinks on a single 
occasion. Almost three-quarters — 73 percent — of 11th graders said they'd 
had alcohol at least once in their lives, and 49 percent said they drank in 
the last 30 days.

Other findings showed:

- - About 45 percent had smoked cigarettes or marijuana at least once, and 
nearly a quarter had done so within a month.

- - Students feel safe at school and home but carry weapons to school with 
increasing frequency as they progress through the grades.

- - Kids reported experimenting and using drugs, cigarettes and alcohol more 
as they became older, despite the fact that, at all grade levels, students 
reported in high numbers that they feel frequent use of such substances can 
be "extremely harmful."

- - Eighty-three percent of seventh graders said cigarettes can be harmful, 
compared to 75 percent of ninth graders and 79 percent of 11th graders. 
Marijuana is considered harmful by 92 percent by seventh graders, 77 
percent by ninth graders and 68 percent by 11th graders. The numbers for 
alcohol are lower, though, at 77 percent for seventh graders and 66 percent 
for those surveyed in higher grades.

- - The study also showed the number of students participating in healthy 
activities declines as students get older. Only 69 percent of 11th graders 
reported participating in 20 minutes of vigorous activity at least three 
times weekly, compared with 85 percent of seventh graders.

Likewise, 26 percent of 11th graders reported eating five servings of 
fruits and vegetables each week, compared to 34 percent of seventh graders.

- - Nearly 95 percent of students feel safe in their own neighborhoods, and 
about 90 percent feel safe at school. However, 17 percent of ninth graders 
and 18 percent of 11th graders said they had carried a weapon to school in 
the last month. Officials cautioned that some students may have identified 
as weapons pocket knives and other tools not used expressly for violence.

As well, about 80 percent of the students surveyed said they have caring 
relationships with their families, teachers and peers and had high 
expectations for themselves.

That number dropped below 60 percent, though, when students were asked if 
they felt they had meaningful participation in the home, school and community.

Julian Crocker, county superintendent of schools, said the next step for 
local schools and other county agencies in finding solutions to student 
health risks is working together.

"I think the underlying message here is that it has to be a community 
effort," Crocker said. "It is still disturbing that there are these kinds 
of numbers in substance abuse. But it's a community issue."

Who did the survey:

Officials conducted the California Healthy Kids Survey in the fall of 1999.

The survey was administered by educators to more than 6,500 students in 
grades seven, nine and 11 around the county. It focused on the health of 
students and how often they do things that could be risky, such as drinking 
and driving. In addition to substance abuse, the survey also asked students 
about their perceptions of safety at school and home and about the aspects 
of their lives they consider to be positive.

The results were analyzed by local law enforcement officials and various 
county agencies in the hopes of finding and solving problems among area teens.

Where to go:

A town hall meeting on underage drinking will be from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 14 at 
the Morro Bay Community Center, 1002 Kennedy Way. Call 781-4290 for 
information.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D