Pubdate: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 Source: Day, The (New London,CT) Copyright: 2006 The Day Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.theday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293 Author: Jennifer Grogan SURVEY PROFILES STUDENT DRUG USE Waterford Officials to Discuss Results Waterford -- Local officials and school representatives will meet tonight to discuss the results of a drug-and-alcohol survey that was given to middle school and high school students at the end of last school year. The main findings of the survey were that there is a significant increase in the consumption of drugs and alcohol between middle school and high school; teenagers are experimenting with drugs and alcohol but most are not persistent users; and smokers are more likely to use drugs and alcohol. The average age of trying alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana was 13 to 14 years old. State Sen. Andrea Stillman and Rep. Betsy Ritter, First Selectman Daniel Steward, school Superintendent Randall Collins, police Chief Murray Pendleton and the consultant for the survey, Archie Swindell, will present the results of the 2006 Drug Abuse Prevention Youth Survey and answer questions from the public from 6 until 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. Half of the students in grades 7 through 10 took the online survey from May 30 until June 8. The students were randomly selected from each class, for a total of 519 participants. The survey was similar to those given in other towns, such as Groton and Norwich. Susan Radway, director of the town's Youth Services Bureau, said towns are conducting surveys because the state and federal government is asking for data to support grant requests. The Waterford survey was funded by a grant from the Ledge Light Health District and the Groton Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention coalition. "You need to know what the issue is in your community and you need to have factual data to show why you develop the programs that you do," Radway said. "When you don't have local facts, it's easy for people to say 'That's not us, it's not our community.' We found that Waterford is like other communities around. ... "This is not just a young person's issue, it's an adult issue too," Radway said. "It's access. You can't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes if you don't have access, and adults are responsible for that access." The findings include the fact that a majority of teens are involved in an after-school sport or exercise programs; cigarette smoking is lower than the national average; and teens perceive the risk of smoking cigarettes as significant. Radway said the town needs to focus on educational programs during the transition from middle school to high school and implement smoking-cessation programs and additional after-school programs. Steward said he hopes the survey will raise awareness in the community. "Children have a way of accessing alcohol and drugs," he said. "The challenge is to find a way to keep them from doing illegal things. We need other alternatives for children to do to keep them active and away from alcohol and drugs." - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine