Pubdate: Tue, 03 Dec 2002 Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ) Copyright: 2002 East Valley Tribune Contact: http://www.aztrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1795 Author: Howard Fischer, Capital Media Services SURVEY CHARTS DRUG USE BY TEENS More than one in seven Valley eighth-graders has used marijuana in the past 30 days, a figure more than 40 percent higher than the national average. New statistics from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission also show that close to 9 percent have smoked a cigarette in the last month, 3 percent have used chewing tobacco and a third have consumed alcohol. The figures are even higher for high school sophomores and seniors. Overall, more than half of eighth-graders statewide have tried alcohol, with that figure increasing to more than 80 percent by 12th grade. A quarter have tried marijuana by eighth grade, and half have used it by the time they become seniors. And close to one in eight seniors has at least experimented with hallucinogens, cocaine or =93Ecstasy.=94 Michael Branham, the commission's executive director, said the survey is not specifically meant to scare parents. Instead, he said, it becomes a tool to find out where the problem is and help fashion a solution. Branham said he can't say exactly why Arizona teens are more likely to use illegal drugs than youngsters elsewhere. One likely factor, he said, is the state's proximity to the border, making certain drugs far more accessible. He also said there is evidence of peer pressure. One thing that must be explored, however, is whether there are viable alternatives for youngsters -- places for them to go and things for them to do, Branham said. If not, then communities need to create alternatives if they want to reduce drug use, he said. "Given the limited resources available in current budgets, it is believed this information will be invaluable in guiding prevention and intervention strategies over the next several years," said Steve Ballance, chief researcher for the agency's statistical analysis center. Branham said trying to keep children and teens off drugs is not a losing proposition, citing the state's active antismoking efforts funded through cigarette taxes. "We believe the antismoking campaigns are starting to work," he said. As proof, he noted that 12.2 percent of eighth-graders nationwide report puffing on a cigarette in the past 30 days. That figure is only 9.1 percent in Arizona and 8.8 percent in Maricopa County. Branham said the surveys are put together using a national model, with questions designed in a fashion making them easily answerable by youngsters. The forms are collected by school employees, but they are not examined locally, and students are promised anonymity, he said. Overall, more than 12,200 youngsters statewide were surveyed at 59 schools. Among illegal drugs, marijuana is the most common, used by 14.3 percent of eighth-graders in the last month, 22.4 percent of 10th-graders and 25.4 percent of seniors. But there also is relatively high use of inhalants, especially among younger students, who may have trouble getting other drugs. Overall, 6.5 percent of eighth-graders reported using inhalants in the past 30 days; that figure drops to 2 percent among 12th-graders. Arizona eighth-graders also use Ecstasy at twice the national level of 1.8 percent; the use among high schoolers is only slightly above the national average. Arizonans also are far more likely to use cocaine than youngsters elsewhere. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)