Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jan 2008
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2008 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Franco Ordonez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

MECKLENBURG REPORT

Girls' Drinking Catches Up To Boys'

High school girls are now as likely as boys to abuse alcohol, say the 
authors of a new report on local substance abuse.

The finding highlights trends in a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Drug Free 
Coalition report released Friday that shows an increase in high 
school drinking and marijuana use among female students and 
minorities in the county.

In 2000, 20 percent of high school boys and 13 percent of girls said 
they had drunk alcohol without adult supervision. In 2006, 40 percent 
of boys and 41 percent of girls had a drink without adult supervision.

"The gender gap is gone," said Paul Friday, a UNC Charlotte criminal 
justice professor, who co-authored the report. "Girls have caught up 
to the boys. Many parents say, 'I have girls. I don't have to worry 
about it.' That's not true anymore."

The 2007 Substance Abuse Indicators Report, the coalition's third 
since forming in 2003, was prepared by UNCC and the Chemical 
Dependency Center. The data were compiled from a list of public and 
private agencies, including Substance Abuse Prevention Services of 
the Carolinas, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the 
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office .

The authors say the report, which includes survey results from more 
than 2,000 students ages 12-18, represents the first time they've 
been able to track and compare alcohol and substance abuse trends 
over an extended period.

Cindy Murphy of the Chemical Dependency Center said women make up the 
fastest growing population of substance abusers in the U.S.

Drugs and alcohol take a greater toll on females, said Murphy, who 
co-authored the coalition study. Substance abuse can have a greater 
effect on women's hormones and can damage their reproductive system, she said.

Higher availability of drugs

The coalition study also found that 34 percent of students were 
offered, sold or given an illegal drug during the past 12 months -- 
significantly higher than state (27 percent) and the national (25 
percent) figures. Marijuana use has significantly increased for 
African Americans and Hispanics. Steroid use is also up among 
seventh- and eighth-graders."Kids need to realize that the decisions 
they make could be a life changing event," said Michael Duni, whose 
16-year-old son died of alcohol poisoning at a party in 2004. "I can 
guarantee that my son didn't think I'm going to my friend's house. 
And I'm going to die tonight."

Not all the coalition's findings were negative. Binge drinking is 
significantly lower among 10th-through 12th-graders. There also has 
been a 22 percent decrease in DWI charges and a 43 percent decrease 
in driving after consuming among those under the age of 21 since 2000.

Firsthand accounts

On Friday, Ricardo Torres, a Chemical Dependency Center prevention 
specialist, met with 12 students as part of the center's outreach 
efforts. When Torres asked about the students' own experiences, six 
acknowledged having tried alcohol. Another six said they had been 
offered marijuana.

To speak with the students, the Observer agreed not to reveal their 
last names or school.

Celina, 14, a seventh-grader at a Charlotte-Mecklenburg school, said 
even middle school girls talk about drinking and getting drunk. She 
said she's been offered a beer and that some students drink to feel 
part of a group. "They want to be cool," she said.

Jonathan, 13, an eighth-grader, said he was offered marijuana that 
day in computer class. He said the teacher was reviewing PowerPoint 
functions when his classmate leaned over, unzipped a pencil bag and 
showed him some marijuana.

"He said, 'Do you want to buy some weed?' " Jonathan said. "I said, 
'No thanks.' "

Other findings

Twenty-five percent of adults in the Charlotte region say it's OK for 
those under 21 to drink.

Young people can buy alcohol about 40 percent of the time without 
being asked for an ID.

Methamphetamine use has more than doubled since 2003, but is still 
proportionately less than marijuana and cocaine use.

Cocaine possession arrests increased 31 percent since 2003, to a rate 
higher than the previous high in 1999/2000.

Xanax and Valium use significantly declined among 10th-through 12th-graders.

Full report: http://www.drugfreecharlotte.org/

Source: 2007 Substance Abuse Report
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom