Pubdate: Sun, 09 Jan 2005
Source: Newark Advocate, The (OH)
Copyright: 2005 The Advocate
Contact: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2634
Author: Carey Checca, Advocate Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DISTRICT SURVEY LOOKS AT DRUG, ALCOHOL USE

NEWARK -- A survey of Newark City Schools' drug, alcohol and tobacco
use found that if a student doesn't begin to use a substance by the
end of the freshman year, the chance of starting drops
dramatically.

However, the survey conducted last spring showed inhalants,
amphetamines and cocaine are becoming more available to students.

No other districts in Licking County have conducted the
survey.

Still, nearly three-quarters of Newark students reported they hadn't
used a substance in the previous 30 days, said Ruth Satterfield, the
district's coordinator of drug-free programs.

"There is no community in America that isn't struggling with alcohol,
tobacco and drug use," Satterfield said.

Satterfield will present the survey results during the upcoming Newark
Board of Education meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the
high school library, 314 Granville St.

Students reported most of their substance use happened outside of the
school day.

Some students don't have any parental guidance after school, said
Shawn Henery, Newark Police Department's D.A.R.E. officer. They often
look for something exciting to do while they're left at home by
themselves. Some end up using drugs.

Newark needs something for these students, perhaps a free community
recreation center, he said.

However, freshman Abby Gilligan, 14, doesn't think after-school
programs would appeal to teenagers.

High school students might see them as things children do, she
said.

The survey also showed tobacco use remains a problem for the
community, Satterfield said.

Twenty-three percent of Newark students who have smoked began lighting
up when they were between kindergarten and fifth grade, according to
the survey.

The survey showed that alcohol consumption begins for some in middle
school. As students grow older, more drink and drink more often.

Satterfield declined to compare Newark students' rate of use to
national statistics.

"It's not really relevant," she said. "We have kids using. That puts
them at risk."
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MAP posted-by: Derek