Pubdate: Thu, 01 Feb 2007
Source: Daily Reflector (Greenville, NC)
Copyright: 2007 Daily Reflector
Contact:  http://www.reflector.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1456
Author: David Ames

DECREASING DRUG USE IS TOP PRIORITY

Your article on Jan 26, "Drugs down but crime up," was of great 
interest. The 19 percent decrease in drug related arrests in Pitt 
County Schools is consistent with the national trends regarding drug use.

A survey of more than 50,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades in 
about 400 schools from across the country revealed a decrease in 
annual drug use of about 10 percent between 2005 and 2006.

Decreasing underage use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is the priority 
of the Pitt County Coalition on Substance Abuse. In 2005, our survey 
of 4,000 high school students in Pitt County revealed that 21 percent 
were currently smoking, 35 percent currently drinking and 22 percent 
currently using marijuana. The Coalition on Substance Abuse is 
comprised of some 40 agencies and individuals all working together to 
prevent underage substance use primarily through the promotion of 
educational programs for youth, parents and the community at large.

In conjunction with the Pitt County Schools, there will be a repeat 
survey of students in middle and high school this spring. Hopefully 
we will also see a substantial drop in rates of substance use when 
compared with 2005.

David Ames

Greenville
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman