Pubdate: Wed, 17 Oct 2007
Source: Morning News, The (Springdale, AR)
Copyright: 2007 The Stephens Media Group
Contact:  http://www.nwaonline.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/835
Author: Lana F. Flowers, THE MORNING NEWS
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

ROGERS SENIORS REPORT ABOVE-AVERAGE MARIJUANA USE,  SURVEY SHOWS

Students' Tobacco, Alcohol Use Below Statewide Average

ROGERS -- More than one-third of Rogers High School  seniors reported 
they used marijuana, a figure higher  than the state average.

That's the news the Rogers School Board heard Tuesday  night from Jim 
Johnson, assistant superintendent for  secondary education.

Johnson summarized results from the Arkansas Prevention  Needs 
Assessment Student Survey, taken by 2,917  students in sixth, eighth, 
10th and 12th grades in  November.

The survey results were released in September, Johnson said.

The survey indicated 38 percent of Rogers seniors used  marijuana, 
compared with a state average of 35 percent.

Results for Rogers students in other categories showed:

* Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco,  was below the 
state average.

* Alcohol use at all grades was below the state  average. Most Rogers 
students who used alcohol reported  getting it from someone older 
than 21 and at someone  else's home other than their own.

* Students showed increased inhalant usage, which  Johnson said 
follows a national trend.

Johnson did not provide copies of the Rogers substance  use survey. 
Ashley Kelley, Rogers School District  communications coordinator, 
said Wednesday that Johnson  was out of the office and she did not 
have access to  his documents.

A University of Oklahoma Web site containing detailed  survey results 
for school districts required a password  assigned to employees in 
each district.

Rogers students in the survey reported little  attachment to their 
neighborhoods and low commitment to  their schools, Johnson said, 
both risk factors for  substance abuse.

"Students indicate that drug usage is sometimes  acceptable in the 
community," Johnson said.

Survey results prompted Joye Kelley, school board  president, to ask 
if the district has a drug and  alcohol abuse prevention plan.

Superintendent Janie Darr said the district provides:

* Counselors at all grade levels who can advise  students.

* Several grants funding programs, like Reality Check,  to target 
middle-graders.

* Health teachers who include drug and alcohol  information in units 
within the health curriculum.

The survey results also contained good news. Johnson  said Rogers 
students reported they got rewards for  working hard in school and 
the community and felt safe  at school.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman