Sponsored by:CAReS, Inc.

Council on Addiction Recovery Services

Prevention Needs AssessmentSpring 2009

Participating Students8th Grade10th Grade12th Grade

Conducted County-wide - Most school districts in

the county participatedResults indicate use and perception by youth

Alcohol and Other Drug Use Results

2009 – Spring 2009 Prevention Needs Assessment – Countywide

MTF – Monitoring The Future – 2008 National Survey of Adolescent Use

2003 – Spring 2003 CTC Youth Risk and Protective Survey

8 State Norm – Essentially national data for R&P Factors for states similar to NYS

0

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Alcohol Cigarettes Chewing Tobacco Marijuana Presciption Narcotics

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Drug Name

Past 30 Day Use - 8th Grade

CC 2009

MTF (National)

CC 2003

0

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20

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50

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Alcohol Cigarettes Chewing Tobacco Marijuana Presciption Narcotics

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Drug Name

Past 30 Day Use - 10th Grade

CC 2009

MTF (National)

CC 2003

0

10

20

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40

50

60

70

Alcohol Cigarettes Chewing Tobacco Marijuana Presciption Narcotics

Per

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Drug Name

30 Day Use - 12th Grade

CC 2009

MTF (National)

CC 2003

Alcohol is still the drug of choice for our teens

Relatively easy to get – availability

For the most part use is socially accepted, even for adolescents

Use is significantly higher than that for other drugs

Anti-Social BehaviorAnti-Social Behavior (ASB) is a measure of the percentage of students who report any involvement with identified behaviors in the last year

Charts abbreviate as ASB

ASB Within Last Year - 8th Grade

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Been Suspended Been Drunk/High at School Sold Illegal Drugs Attacked w/ Intent To Harm

Anti Social Behavior

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CC 2009

8 State Norm

CC 2003

ASB Within Last Year - Grade 10

0

5

10

15

20

25

Been Suspended Been Drunk/High at School Sold Illegal Drugs Attacked w/ Intent To Harm

Anti Social Behavior

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CC 2009

8 State Norm

CC 2003

ASB Within Past Year - Grade 12

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Been Suspended Been Drunk/High at School Sold Illegal Drugs Attacked w/ Intent To Harm

Anti Social Behavior

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CC 2009

8 State Norm

CC 2003

Risk and Protective FactorsThese are specific aspects of the

community, school, family life, or individual which, research indicates can be predictive of problem behaviors in youthThe prevelance of risk factors – Increase in problem behaviors

The prevelance of protective factors – decrease in problem behaviors

Laws and Norms Favorable to Drug UseCommunity norms - the attitudes and policies

a community holds about drug use and crime - are communicated in a variety of ways: laws and written policiesinformal social practicesthrough the expectations parents and

other members of the community have of young people.

Ex. Law/policy Taxation of alcoholic beveragesHigher rates of taxation decrease the rate

of alcohol use at every level of use.

Community DisorganizationCommunities/Neighborhoods with:

High population density – Population centers

Lack of Natural Surveillance of public places – mostly wooded or otherwise remote areas in Catt Co

High rates of adult crime – high juvenile crime and drug selling

Community Disorganization and Low Neighborhood Attachment

Most significant issue affecting community attachment - whether residents feel they can make a difference in their lives.

If the key players in the neighborhood: i.e. business leaders, teachers, police, school

personnel, counselors, doctors, etc- Live outside the neighborhood, residents'

sense of commitment will be less. Lower rates parental involvement in

schools also indicate lower attachment to the community

When laws, tax rates, and community standards seem to favor alcohol, particularly for youth, even if they are unclear, children are at higher risk.

Another concern - conflicting messages about alcohol/other drugs from key social institutions.

acceptance of alcohol use as a social activity within the community – underage drinking – hill parties, taking the keys

The "Beer Gardens," popular at street fairs and community festivals frequented by young people, are in contrast to the "Just Say No" messages that schools and parents may be promoting. These conflicting messages make it difficult for children to decide which norms to follow.

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Low Neighboorhood Attachment Community Disorganization Laws/Norms Favor Drug Use Perceived Avlbty Drugs

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Risk Factor

Community Risk Factors - 8th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Low Neighboorhood Attachment Community Disorganization Laws/Norms Favor Drug Use Perceived Avlbty Drugs

Per

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Risk Factors

Community Risk Factors - 10th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

0

10

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60

70

Low Neighboorhood Attachment Community Disorganization Laws/Norms Favor Drug Use Perceived Avlbty Drugs

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Risk Factor

Community Risk Factors 12th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

Parental Attitudes Favorable Toward Drugs

In families where parents use illegal drugs, are heavy users of alcohol, or are tolerant of children’s use:children are more likely to become drug

abusers during adolescence. The risk is further increased if parents

involve children in their own drug (or alcohol) using behavior

for example, asking the child to light the parent’s cigarette or get the parent a beer from the refrigerator.

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Sibling Drug Use Exposure To Adult ASB Parent Att Favor ASB Parent Att Favor Drug Use

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Risk Factor

Family Risk Factors - Grade 8

CC 2009

8 State Norm

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60

70

Sibling Drug Use Exposure To Adult ASB Parent Att Favor ASB Parent Att Favor Drug Use

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Risk Factor

Family Risk Factors - 10th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Sibling Drug Use Exposure To Adult ASB Parent Att Favor ASB Parent Att Favor Drug Use

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Risk Factors

Family Risk Factors - 12th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

Opportunities for Prosocial Involvement - School

When young people are given more opportunities to participate meaningfully in important activities at school, they are less likely to engage in drug use and other problem behaviors.

Rewards for Prosocial Involvement - School

When young people are recognized and rewarded for their contributions at school, they are less likely to be involved in substance use and other problem behaviors

Opportunity For Prosocial Involvement - Community

When opportunities are available in a community for positive participation, children are less likely to engage in substance use and other problem behaviors.

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Comm Opps for PSI Community Rwds for PSI School Opps for PSI School Rwds for PSI

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Protective Factors

Catt Co PF - 12th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Community Opportunites for Prosocial Involvemnt

Community Rewards for Prosocial Involvement

School Opportunites for Prosocial Involvemnt

School Rewards for Prosocial Involvement

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Protective Factor

Catt Co Protective Factors - 8th Grade

CC 2009

8 State Norm

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80

90

Comm Opps for PSI Community Rwds for PSI School Opps for PSI School Rwds for PSI

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Protective Factors

Cat Co PF - Grade 10

CC 2009

8 State Norm

Thoughts?Questions?