STUDENT DRUG & ALCOHOL SURVEY RESULTS Michael T. Koth Assistant Principal Northern Highlands Regional High School

Background Information Last student drug survey administered Pride Surveys of International Surveys Associates Survey is completely anonymous In order for students to participate, parents granted their child permission to participate through active consent form. Approximately 70% of students surveyed (899 students) 52.2% of students surveyed were female; 47.8% were male.

General Findings Results show that alcohol and marijuana a the drugs of choice for students on an annual and monthly basis Students report age at the time of first use of alcohol, marijuana, and/or prescription drugs ranges from an average of 14.3 to 15.1 years old.

Northern Highlands student’s use vs. National Average (past 12 months) Alcohol use is above the national average for all grade levels Marijuana use is below national average for 9 & 10 grades; use is above national average for 11 & 12 grades Student use of prescription drugs, cocaine, inhalants, and heroin are all below the national average

Northern Highlands student’s use vs. National Average (past 30 days) Alcohol use among freshman is below the national average; all other grades are above arijuana use is below national average for 9 & 10 grades; use is above national average for 11 & 12 grades Student use of prescription drugs, cocaine, inhalants, and heroin are all below the national average

Consumption of Alcohol & Marijuana Students use of alcohol and marijuana in the past 30 days increases as they get older Use among males is slightly higher than females Findings also show that overall students don’t perceive consumption of alcohol or marijuana to be wrong or very wrong

Many upperclassmen shared that they do not perceive or alcohol marijuana to be of great risk at alarming rates.

Approximately 70% or juniors and 79% of seniors surveyed feel it is acceptable to use marijuana

Additionally, acceptance of marijuana almost doubles between sophomore and junior year according to students surveyed. This is consistent among male and female students. However, female peers across grade levels are generally less accepting of students using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana than males.

Student Accessibility to Substances Approximately 73% of students surveyed find it fairly easy or very easy to get alcohol 44% find it easy to get marijuana 22% find it is easy to get prescription drugs As students get older, they find alcohol and marijuana more acceptable to use and easier to get

Where Do Students Use Substances? Students report using alcohol and marijuana predominately at home or a friend’s house Almost 20% of students report using marijuana in a car Prescription drugs are used in large part at home.

When Do Students Use Substances? The overwhelming majority of students surveyed report using substances on weekends. A small percentage of students (mostly seniors) report using prescription drugs on weeknights, also.

Prevention Efforts Students surveyed report a strong sense that parents feel use of drugs and alcohol are very wrong. Students also stated the school has set clear rules for drugs, threats, and bullying in school. However, 36% of students surveyed report that their parents speak to them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol seldom or never. 37% report parents do so sometimes. Over half of students report that teachers speak of these issues seldom or never.

Change Over Time: Comparison with previous survey data Use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and inhalants among underclassmen (9 th and 10 th grades) have experienced an overall decline. Percent of Northern Highlands Regional High School 10th Graders Who Have Used Each Drug in the Last 12 Months Alcohol73%67%56.5% Marijuana20%19%14.3% Cocaine0%1%0.9% Prescription drugs N/A 1.7% Inhalants4%3%1.7% Percent of Northern Highlands Regional High School 9th Graders Who Have Used Each Drug in the Last 12 Months Alcohol65%59%36.5% Marijuana5%12%8.1% Cocaine1%2%0% Prescription drugs N/A 2.2% Inhalants2%6%1.8%

Change Over Time: Comparison with previous survey data Use of these substances among upperclassmen have remained consistent. Prescription drug use has emerged as a new fad among students. Although the number of students who report using are few, it is more prevalent among seniors (8.2%) Percent of Northern Highlands Regional High School 11th Graders Who Have Used Each Drug in the Last 12 Months Alcohol83%71%66.1% Marijuana32%33%37.1% Cocaine1%6%2.2% Prescription drugsN/A 3.9% Inhalants4%1%1.3% Percent of Northern Highlands Regional High School 12th Graders Who Have Used Each Drug in the Last 12 Months Alcohol84%86%85.4% Marijuana53%46%50.7% Cocaine4%7%2.9% Prescription drugs N/A 8.2% Inhalants4%5%2.4%

Emerging Trends Also, an emerging fad is among teens are e cigarettes. Little is known among teens about this new product. However, studies and law enforcement agencies have shown that these products can be harmful.

Additional Points of Interest The Pride Survey not only measures student experience and perceptions of drugs and alcohol, it also asks students about violence indicators and student safety. The following findings are points of interest that must be addressed: 7.3% of students surveyed claim they never or seldom feel safe in the parking lot. 12% of students stated at some point, they are afraid at school. 7.9% of students surveyed stated that they thought often or a lot about suicide. – Results show this is higher in females (11.1%) than males (4.7%)

Recommendations Public presentation of results for community consumption Prepare a press release of results Hire staff to provide student assistance services and additional security Enhance monitoring of students considered to be at-risk. Continue to provide drug and alcohol education throughout to all grades through health education curriculum. Additionally, to address issues of substance abuse, where applicable, across the curriculum. Establish peer / faculty mentoring program for sophomore and junior students to address these issues. Establish in school support groups to address other issues that students face that can be risk factors for drug use. Conduct a Prom Car Crash simulation on a semi-annual basis Work in conjunction with local police departments to conduct and promote Operation Take Back Continue with established student mentoring programs including Transition Project, Highlands Heroes, and SADD. Continue to provide educational and motivational talks, lectures and presentations to students and parents. Work closely with community groups such as Municipal Alliances, mental health agencies, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers to provide parent education on signs, symptoms, and the dangers of all drugs.