John L. Lyons Health and Curriculum Coordinator Physical Education, Health Education and Family and Consumer Science Westford Public Schools Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey COMMUNITY FORUM

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Vehicle Related Safety In car driven by minor, alcohol / drug use (at least once 30 days prior to survey) 2.5% sixth graders — 6.9% eighth graders 18.8% ACADEMY 8.6% ACADEMY Report driving when drinking (at least once 30 days prior to survey)

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Violence Related Behavior Carried any weapon (gun, knife or club) on school property at least once 30 days prior 1.0% sixth graders — 2.4% eighth graders 5.1% ACADEMY 28.4% sixth graders — 27.4% eighth graders 13.4% ACADEMY Bullied in School during 12 months prior to survey

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Violence Related Behavior (cont) Hurt self on purpose e.g., cuts, burns, bruises (during 12 months prior to survey) 15.2% eighth graders — 16.0% ACADEMY

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey S u i c i d e Seriously considered attempting suicide (during 12 months prior to survey) 4.6% sixth graders — 11.7% eighth graders Report actually attempting suicide (at least once during 12 months prior to survey) 2.0% sixth graders — 4.0% eighth graders 4.1% ACADEMY 13.1% ACADEMY report the attempt caused injury, poisoning or overdose requiring treatment by a doctor or nurse AND 1.1% ACADEMY

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey T o b a c c o U s e Having ever tried smoking cigarettes 3.3% sixth graders — 12.1% eighth graders Smoked cigarettes (at least once 30 days prior to survey) Smoked cigarettes on school property 0% sixth graders — 0.5% eighth graders 31.8% ACADEMY 14.0% ACADEMY 4.6% ACADEMY 0.8% sixth graders — 3.7% eighth graders

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey A l c o h o l U s e 6.1% sixth graders — 8.8% eighth graders Report having at least one drink (at least once during 30 days prior to survey) 40.6% ACADEMY 3.8% sixth graders — 13.5% eighth graders Report having at least one drink at least once during their lives (other than for religious reasons) 65.8% ACADEMY Had a drink of alcohol prior to age 12 or 13 (other than for religious reasons) 15.3% ACADEMY

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey A l c o h o l U s e (cont) Attended parties in homes in district where alcohol use by teens was allowed 29.9% ACADEMY 11.6% eighth graders (during 12 months prior to survey) 16% grade 9 — 34.3% grade 11 — 23.7% grade % grade 12

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Illegal Drug Use 0.5% sixth graders — 1.1% eighth graders Report having ever used marijuana 30.5% ACADEMY 0.5% sixth graders — 6.4% eighth graders Report sniffing glue, breathing sprays, etc (at least once during 30 days prior to the survey) 3.3% ACADEMY 5.4% sixth graders — 4.0% eighth graders First marijuana use prior to age 12 or % ACADEMY

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Illegal Drug Use (cont) Report having used any form of cocaine on at least one occasion 5.9% ACADEMY 3.7% ACADEMY (during 30 days prior to survey) 2.4% grade 9 — 7.5% grade 11 — 5.0% grade % grade 12 Report having ever used any form of cocaine (including powder, crack or freebase)

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey G a m b l i n g 12.0% sixth graders — 26.8% eighth graders 32.0% ACADEMY 26.5% sixth graders — 47.0% eighth graders 44.4% ACADEMY Report having gambled by betting (lottery, Keno, sports, casino games, cards or racing) during 12 months prior to survey Report having gambled during 30 days prior (males 62.6%; females 25.2%) (1.8% report gambling has often or always caused personal, family or school problems)

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey HIV / AIDS Education 39.6% sixth graders — 46.8% eighth graders 51.8% ACADEMY 86.8% sixth graders — 98.1% eighth graders 96.0% ACADEMY Report having ever been taught about HIV / AIDS in school Report having ever talked about AIDS / HIV infection with parents or other family adults

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey S e x u a l B e h a v i o r 5.8% eighth graders (males 7.4%; females 4.0%) Report having ever had sexual intercourse 6.2% grade 9 — 32.5% grade 11 — 18.9% grade % grade % ACADEMY 6.4% ACADEMY 0.8% eighth graders — Report having had sexual intercourse for the first time prior to age 12 or 13

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey S e x u a l B e h a v i o r (cont) Report having sexual intercourse at least once during three months prior to survey 2.5% grade 9 — 25.4% grade 11 — 13.3% grade % grade % ACADEMY

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey D i e t a r y B e h a v i o r Described selves as being right weight 52.3% ACADEMY 59.7% sixth graders — 50.3% eighth graders 41.2% ACADEMY 34.7% sixth graders Trying to lose weight (39.3% f; 30.1% m)(51.4% f; 24.4% m) | | 37.0% eighth graders | (56.6% f; 26.2% m)

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey D i e t a r y B e h a v i o r (cont) Report having exercised 65.4% ACADEMY 71.4% sixth graders — 66.8% eighth graders 40.6% ACADEMY 17.2% sixth graders Had breakfast on less than five days (during week before survey) (72.0% f; 59.1% m) (38.9% f; 29.5% m) | | 34.1% eighth graders | (42.9% f; 38.5% m) (20.2% f; 13.9% m)

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey D i e t a r y B e h a v i o r (cont) Report taking performance enhancing supplements (e.g., androstenedione, creatine) 2.6% grade 9 — 7.3% grade 11 — 3.9% grade % grade % ACADEMY

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Physical Activity Report at least 20 mins. physical activity (on at least three days in the week prior to survey) 76.5% ACADEMY 80.4% sixth graders (76.2% f; 87.0% m) (71.9% f; 81.0% m) (77.3% f; 83.9% m) 51.8% grade 9 — 67.6% grade 11 — 66.1 % grade % grade % ACADEMY | | 81.9% eighth graders | 17.2% sixth graders 36.3% eighth graders Get seven or fewer hours sleep each night

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Physical Activity (cont) Watch an average of three hours of TV on an average school day 21.6% grade % grade % ACADEMY 18.7% sixth graders 24.8% eighth graders (27.8% f; 22.0% m) (21.4% f; 15.7% m) (no variation by gender) 17.1 % grade 10 — 16.3 % grade 12 —

Westford Youth Risk Behavior Survey Community Take-Home Message “Prevention is about change… Changing community norms, changing systems, changing ourselves. Change is about learning: learning how change happens and to develop processes that support positive change and healthy change agents.” — SAMHSA, 2005