Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003 Contact: http://www2.odt.co.nz Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925 Author: Rebecca Fox RISKY YOUTH BEHAVIOUR CONCERN FOR PRINCIPALS Otago Statistics Show Alcohol, Drugs and Car Dangers About 90% of Otago secondary-school pupils questioned in a youth health survey have tried alcohol and nearly half have tried marijuana. Preliminary results of the data collected from seven Otago schools showed many pupils were healthy and happy. However, significant numbers were participating in "at risk" behaviour, including binge drinking, regular marijuana use and riding in cars with drunk drivers. The data was gathered in a national secondary-school youth health survey completed in 2000 by the Adolescent Health Research Group. Kavanagh College principal Paul Ferris said the implications of the risk statistics were horrendous, especially those involving dangerous behaviour around alcohol, drugs and cars, including only 58% of boys and 69% of girls always wearing a seat belt. "It is that bullet-proof nature of teenagers. By not wearing a seat belt there is a high chance of a tragic accident occurring." He believed parents needed to be more aware of their children's behaviour with alcohol and drugs. "Parents need to take more of a participatory role in the activities of young people and what is safe and is not safe." There needed to be a safe way for pupils to report unsafe behaviour to law enforcement agencies without fear of consequences, he said. "They need to be in a position to disclose without consequences. And at home, as well, they need to be able to talk honestly to their parents." Mental health statistics that revealed 20% of males and 30% of females had thoughts of suicide showed schools could never be complacent about youth suicide, he said. Queens High School principal Liz Welch said the numbers involved in dangerous vehicle behaviour were alarming. "I think we had begun to think young people were being assertive and careful about their safety in cars but we may have to remind them again." Statistics also showed 8% of males and 15% of females felt they were under a lot of pressure. "It is a concern that a proportion aren't feeling on top of things," Ms Welch said. Also of concern was that only 42% of boys and 49% of girls usually tried hard at school. "We need to look very seriously at supporting learning to make sure students have a feeling of accomplishment." Otago Girls principal Jan Anderson said she was heartened by statistics showing the majority of pupils were safe and happy, and believed only a minority were participating in risky behaviour. Nearly all thought their parents cared a lot and 63% of males and 57% of girls believed they had enough time with parents. Eighty percent of girls and boys always felt safe at school, 85% of boys and 86% of girls felt teachers were usually fair. Figures showing 32% of boys and 34% of girls had been bullied at school that year had to be taken in context, she said. Otago schools had led the way in safety programmes meaning pupils were hypersensitive to what constituted bullying. "Any uncomfortable exchanges are being classed as bullying," she said. She was alarmed by the binge drinking statistics and was concerned by the casual sexual activity of some pupils. "It is only 20% that are taking risks but it is a concern and anyone taking part in that activity is one too many." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake