Pubdate: Sat, 07 Aug 2004 Source: Laramie Boomerang (WY) Copyright: 2004 Laramie Boomerang Contact: http://www.laramieboomerang.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2503 Author: Angela Brooks Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) TEEN SUBSTANCE USE HIGH IN ALBANY COUNTY School officials are disturbed by a recent survey showing more than half of Albany County high schoolers have sampled marijuana over the course of their life, in addition to other hardcore drugs. The 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Report found that 51 percent of local teens have used marijuana at some point in life; more than 28 percent had done so 30 days prior to the survey and 11.5 percent started before age 13. "It clearly shows we have some work to do," said Brian Recht, superintendent of Albany County School District. The teen survey is based on anonymous responses from high school students throughout the state. In Albany County, 595 students in grades 10, 11 and 12 were quizzed in the spring of 2003. The popularity of binge drinking and other drug use also concerns school officials. The survey reported 38.5 percent of youth had consumed five or more drinks in a row within the past month. More than 80 percent of local teens reported using alcohol in their lifetime, 14.9 percent used methamphetamine, 14.4 percent used cocaine, 10.7 percent used ecstasy and 4.7 percent used heroin. "I really have concerns over all the results," Recht said. "We will really use these results to continue to implement education as an intervention strategy and to promote positive behavior in students." Other findings: 35.5 percent of youth rode in cars driven by people using alcohol, 20.9 percent admitted to drinking while driving, 6.3 percent used marijuana on school property, 6.1 percent used steroids and 4.4 percent used needles to inject illegal drugs. Additionally, more than 27.2 percent used alcohol and drugs before their last sexual encounter, 18.7 percent were offered, sold or given illegal drugs on school property and 14.6 percent had used inhalants like paint and aerosol spray cans to get high. It's troubling so many teens are obtaining and using drugs at school, Recht said. "I would like to see that number at zero, because I think drugs are really the bane of our society," he said. "They're really hurtful to people and our community." School officials plan to educate the community via brochures, newsletters and advertisements. Information will also be posted on the Drug Free Schools Web site (www.wyofamilies.com). "We're always trying to figure out new and better ways to communicate to parents the seriousness of the problem and their part in it," said Diana Seabeck, coordinator of Drug Free Schools. In an effort to get the community involved, school officials have joined forces with local awareness groups, such as the Coalition to Prevent Substance Abuse (CPSA). "We don't think parents understand the extent to which youth in Albany County are using substances," said CPSA coordinator Tamara Sandberg. According to the coalition, substance abuse statistics would plummet if adults would simply take responsibility. "Kids think adults don't really care if they are or aren't using substances," Sandberg said. "We know there are adults who care, we just need to do a better job of letting kids know we don't think it's OK." According to the 2001 Prevention Needs Assessment that surveyed all local 12th, 10th, eighth and sixth-graders, there's a clear connection between underage drinking and adult attitudes. The survey found that 46 percent of 12th graders in Albany County believed the community sends the message that it's OK to drink and that "kids will be kids -- we expect you to drink." Other noteworthy findings of the risk behavior survey: n More than 26 percent of teens carried a weapon such as a gun, knife or club in the past month, and 13.4 percent did so on school grounds. During the past year, 11.2 percent were threatened or injured by someone carrying a weapon at school. n About 50 percent have had sexual intercourse, and 18 percent reported having four or more partners. More than 10 percent had been physically forced to have sexual intercourse against their will. n During the past year, 17 percent seriously considered attempting suicide and 11.2 percent actually attempted suicide. n Sixty-one percent had tried smoking cigarettes and 21.2 percent reported smoking an entire cigarette for the first time before age 13. Additionally, 17.5 percent used chewing tobacco or snuff in the past year. n More than 30.3 percent described themselves as slightly or very overweight, and 38.3 percent were trying to lose weight. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin