Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

SUBSTANCE ABUSE (PART 2)

66. Substance Abuse Among Students

Every two years Mesa Valley School District #51 conducts the American Drug and Alcohol Survey to evaluate levels of substance abuse among students. The following charts show some additional results from the 1997-98 survey.

The district chose to survey only 10th graders this year. In the past, 8th and 12th graders were surveyed. Teachers felt it important to survey 10th graders so there could be information to use while students are still at school. Because of the change, however, we have lost the ability to track trends over time. We can compare with national statistics.

There is a high percentage of students for whom learning is regularly hindered by the use of drugs.

The survey report says, "Using drugs also places a youth outside the mainstream of society and generally involves attitudes that make a youth unwilling to listen to a teacher's or counselor's advice."

This is a community problem to be addressed by students, schools, homes, businesses, and law enforcement agencies.

Figure 7-38 shows that Mesa County students use alcohol (and get drunk) more than the average US 10th graders. 32% said they have passed out while drinking. Usage is also higher for marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens.

It is also useful to refer to crime data to get a complete picture of the substance abuse problem. Substance abuse related arrests in Mesa County are significantly higher for adults than for young people.

If that applies to other substance abuse, it is likely that adults are also using stronger and more dangerous drugs, and students may be accessing drugs like marijuana from adults.

Although substance abuse among students is a crisis, it is important to note that 52% of 10th graders said they have never used drugs and never will.

Abbreviations:

  • Alc. — Alcohol
  • Mar. — Marijuana
  • Lgl Stim. — Legal Stimulants
  • Stim. — Stimulants
  • Hal. — Hallucinogens
  • Meth. — Methamphetamines
  • Inh. — Inhalants
  • Coc. — Cocaine
  • Dwn. — Downers
  • Narc. — Narcotics other than heroin
  • Her. — Heroin
  • Nit. — Nitrites

Figure 7-38: Percent of Students Who Used Each Substance During Past 12 Months
A Source: American Drug and Alcohol Survey: Mesa County 1998

Percent of Students Who Used Each Substance During Past 12 Months

Figures 7-39 and 7-40 show the self-reported percent of drug and alcohol use by Mesa County 10th graders compared with 1997 data for U.S. 10th graders.

Mesa County students use above national averages in all substances for which there is national data (except inhalants where both are at 3%).

Alcohol seems to be the drug of choice for students, followed by marijuana. Methamphetamine use in 1998, according to the ADAS survey, is 12% for school district #51 10th graders and 4.4% for national 12th graders.

An alarming increase in methamphetamine use has also been reported by drug counselors and police officers.

May link to . . .

  • Economy
  • Education
  • Crime Rates
  • Mental Health
  • Unintentional Deaths
  • Social Environment
  • Skilled Work Force

How easy is it to get drugs?

Percent of 10th graders in Mesa County that say getting this drug is easy or fairly easy:

  • Alcohol — 93%
  • Marijuana — 83%
  • Cocaine — 44%
  • Uppers — 56%
  • Inhalants — 84%
  • PCP — 41%
  • Heroin — 37%
  • Cigarettes — 95%

Figure 7-39: Drug Use by District #51 10th Graders During Past Month
 Source: American Drug and Alcohol Survey: Mesa County 1998

Drug Use by District #51 10th Graders During Past Month

Note: In 1998, the figure for "stimulants" was changed to include methamphetamine use. In prior years, methamphetamine use was not included in the calculation of stimulant use.

Figure 7-40: Substances Used by Fewer than Four Percent of Students
A Source: American Drug and Alcohol Survey: Mesa County 1998

Substances Used by Fewer than Four Percent of Students
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