Youth Drug Survey. C. A. R. E. Community Advocacy Research and Evaluation Consulting Group CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS.

Transcription

1 2015 Youth Drug Survey CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS Provided by: 1 C. A. R. E. Community Advocacy Research and Evaluation Consulting Group 2015

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3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Youth Drug Survey is a wonderful example of the power and richness of collaboration in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, without which a project of this size would not occur. Thanks to the availability of this survey, programs designed to keep our children safe and drug free can be tailored to meet the needs that become apparent in the evaluation results. The Center for Prevention Services (CPS) is grateful for the support from the following partners: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Their four decades of partnership on this longitudinal study has served to make our community a healthier, safer place for generations of children who have benefited from their educational system. In particular for the project, the ongoing assistance of Dr. Cotrane Penn and the mental health/substance use service team as well as the accountability department should be noted. Without their time and attention this project would not have been possible. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition Their long term partnership with CPS is invaluable. For this round of the YDS, CMDFC again provided volunteers to assist with proctoring the survey at a number of schools. In addition to the hands-on assistance, the CMDFC is a proud financial sponsor of the survey. Teen Health Connection Their partnership with CPS is greatly appreciated, not just for the provision of volunteers to proctor the survey but also for the financial sponsorship contributed to this project. Volunteers An extensive thank you goes out to the temporary staff members and the numerous volunteers who helped to deliver this survey to 81 schools over a four week period, and to Marc McManeus, for donation of time and AV equipment for the press conference. Last but not least, without the contribution of these two other groups this project would not occur, and special recognition is well earned. The evaluation team from C.A.R.E. (Community Advocacy Research & Evaluation) Consulting Group has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Youth Drug Survey provides the best, most accurate data. The Center for Prevention Services team of experts dedicated over a year of their time to planning, launching, implementing and finalizing this project. Special appreciation goes to LaKeisha McCormick, Operations Director, and Thomas Asbury, Youth Leadership Coordinator, for their project management that brought the Youth Drug Survey to completion. 3

4 CONTENTS Executive Summary 05 Introduction 05 Demographics 05 School and Safety...Grade-Level Results Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use...Age of Onset Perceptions About Substance Abuse 26 Access / Location of Use 30 Conclusions 34 4

5 Executive Summary Since 1972, the Center for Prevention Services (formerly Substance Abuse Prevention Services) has implemented a county-wide youth drug survey every two - four years. These data are collected to determine the current level of incidence and prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drug usage among school age youth. Due to the longitudinal nature of the research, changes in local patterns and trends can be observed. During January/February 2015, the Center for Prevention Services (CPS) in collaboration with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and with the support from numerous volunteers, administered the self-report survey instrument to 3,892 youth ages The purpose of this report is to describe and analyze the drug usage pattern among middle and high school age students in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Introduction The purpose of this report is to describe and analyze the drug usage patterns among middle and high school age students in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The survey was conducted with Charlotte-Mecklenburg School students. The survey instrument was designed to address at least four recommended core measures: the extent of usage within the last thirty days, average age of onset, perception of risk or harm, and the perception of parental approval or disapproval. Demographics The sample selection was a proportionate stratified random sample of all students in grades 6 through 12 from all Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools. The surveys were monitored to provide anonymity for the students. The sample consisted of 3,892 students. The age range was as follows: 17.8% were 11 years of age, 0.3% were 10 years of age or younger, 14.1% were 12 years of age, 13.4% were 13 years of age, 10.7% were 14 years of age, 14.5% were 15 years of age, 11.3% were 16 years of age, 10.1% were 17 years of age, 7.2% were 18 years of age, and 0.5% were 19 years of age or older. A higher percentage of the students were Female (52% Female vs. 48% Male). Most of the students (83.4%) reported English as their primary language spoken at home, followed by Spanish (11.1%), and Another Language (5.5%). 5

6 Figure 1 - Race & Ethnicity Figure 1: A majority of students identified themselves as Black/ African American (37.5%) followed by Caucasian/White (27.7%), Hispanic/ Spanish/Latino (17.3%), Multi-Racial (9.5%), Asian/Asian American (5.8%), American Indian/Native American (1.4%) and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (0.9%). Figure 2: 4% of the students reported that one or both of their parents a combat veteran that served in the Iraq or Afghanistan war. Figure 3: When asked to select the region/country where they were born, 88.2% of the students reported United States and 3.2% reported Other region/country not listed. Figure 4: When students were asked to select the region/country where their father was born, 68.2% of the students reported the United States, followed by Mexico (8.3%), Other region (7.8%), Central America (5.6%), and Southeast Asia (3.2%). Figure 2 - One or both parents are a combat veteran that served in the Iraq or Afghanistan war 6 Figure 5: When asked to select the region/country where their mother was born, 69.8% of the students reported the United States, followed by Mexico (7.6%), Other region (6.7%), Central America (5.8%), and Southeast Asia (3.3%). Figure 6: For sexual orientation, 77.7% reported Straight or Heterosexual, followed by Mostly Straight (16.3%), and Bisexual 4.0%.

7 Figure 3 - Student s Birth Place Figure 4 - Father s Birth Place Figure 5 - Mother s Birth Place Figure 6 - Sexual Orientation 7

8 School and Safety I n this section of the report, the youth safety and experiences at school findings are discussed. Almost 3% of the students reported they had spent at least one night in the past twelve (12) months in a youth or adult shelter, 1.1% reported spending a night in a public place, such as a train or bus station, a restaurant, or an office building. Less than one percent (0.8%) reported having stayed outside in a park, on the street, under a bridge or overhang, or on a rooftop, while 0.8% selected with someone they did not know because they needed a place a to stay or in an abandoned building. When asked, If you spent the night in one of the places listed in the previous question, was your parent or guardian with you for all of the nights, 5.8% of the students reported Yes, 4.6% reported No and 89.7% reported I did not spend the night in one of those places. 8

9 Figure 7 - In the past year, how often did you: Figure 7: When asked if they, Enjoy being in school, 33.8% of the students reported Often, followed by 33.3% reported Sometimes, 16.7% reported Almost Always, 10.0% reported Seldom, while 6.1% reported Never. However, 31.7% reported Sometimes to hate being in school, followed by Often (23.0)%, Seldom (22.5%), Never (12.9%), and Almost Always (10.0%). When students were asked if they, Try do your best work in school, 57.6% reported Almost Always, 27.4% reported Often, 11.3% reported Sometimes, and 3.8% reported either Seldom or Never. When asked, How often do you feel that schoolwork you are assigned is meaning and important, 33.0% reported Sometimes, 26.4% reported Often, 23.4% reported Almost Always, 11.5% reported Seldom, and 5.7% reported Never. Figure 8 - In the past year, how were your grades? Figure 8: 39.5% students reported Mostly A s in the last year, followed by Mostly B s (38.3%), Mostly C s (21.9%), and Mostly D s (0.3%). 9

10 Figure 9 - How many days did you skip or cut class in the last 30 days? During the past twelve (12) months, 19.0% of the 6th Grade students reported they had been electronically bullied, followed by 20.3% of the 8th Grade students, 18.9% of the 10th Grade students, and 16.2% of the 12th Grade students. l e v e L e d a Gr s t l u s Re W Figure 9: During the last four (4) weeks, 73.7% of the students reported None to the number of days of school they missed due to skipping or cutting class, 8.6% reported 1, 6.5% reported 2, 4.4% reported 3, and 4.2% reported 4 to hile overall scores provide a general picture of youth safety and experiences at school, they can mask problems within individual grades. The next four (4) tables in this section of the report, present individual-grade data for experiences at school in the past twelve (12) months. This detailed information provides a snapshot revealing which experiences at school are of greatest concern by grade. Younger students, for example, tend to report different factors than older students as being the most elevated or suppressed.

11 Table 1: Past 12 Months - By Grade Level In the past 12 months, how often on school property have you: a. Pushed/shoved someone b. Spread rumors/lies about someone 6th Grade 2.2% 3.2% 7.6% 16.7% 70.3% 6th Grade 1.0% 1.3% 2.6% 14.2% 80.9% 8th Grade 2.0% 2.0% 9.3% 13.6% 73.0% 8th Grade 0.7% 0.9% 4.6% 14.5% 79.3% 10th Grade 2.4% 3.5% 5.0% 13.1% 76.1% 10th Grade 1.0% 0.6% 3.5% 10.7% 84.2% 12th Grade 2.2% 2.9% 6.8% 14.4% 73.7% 12th Grade 1.0% 0.2% 2.2% 10.2% 86.4% c. Made sexual jokes, comments, or gestures towards someone d. Mocked someone because of the way he/she looked/talked 6th Grade 3.2% 6.1% 7.4% 15.2% 68.0% 6th Grade 2.2% 2.7% 9.6% 24.4% 61.1% 8th Grade 2.2% 5.2% 11.2% 16.1% 65.3% 8th Grade 2.0% 4.5% 11.9% 24.3% 57.3% 10th Grade 5.1% 5.4% 11.3% 15.3% 63.0% 10th Grade 2.4% 4.4% 10.6% 22.6% 60.0% 12th Grade 3.8% 5.0% 8.6% 15.2% 67.4% 12th Grade 3.6% 3.1% 9.7% 25.6% 58.0% e. Stole/damaged someone s property f. Threatened/injured someone with a weapon 6th Grade 1.3% 0.9% 1.9% 5.2% 90.6% 6th Grade 1.1% 0.6% 0.6% 3.2% 94.5% 8th Grade 70.0% 0.9% 1.9% 7.3% 89.1% 8th Grade 0.7% 0.8% 1.4% 3.0% 94.2% 10th Grade 0.5% 0.5% 1.8% 5.7% 91.4% 10th Grade 1.1% 0.7% 1.5% 3.0% 93.7% 12th Grade 0.7% 1.2% 1.5% 3.8% 92.8% 12th Grade 0.7% 0.5% 1.2% 3.1% 94.5% g. Threatened to harm/injure someone h. Mocked, insulted, or called someone names 6th Grade 1.1% 2.2% 5.8% 10.7% 80.2% 6th Grade 3.6% 4.2% 12.6% 27.7% 51.8% 8th Grade 0.8% 1.8% 5.0% 10.4% 81.9% 8th Grade 3.3% 7.0% 13.6% 27.5% 48.6% 10th Grade 1.9% 2.0% 3.9% 11.8% 80.4% 10th Grade 3.9% 5.8% 11.8% 25.6% 52.9% 12th Grade 1.9% 2.1% 5.2% 13.0% 77.9% 12th Grade 4.0% 5.1% 12.5% 27.2% 51.2% 11

12 Table 2: Past 12 Months - By Grade Level In the past 12 months, how often on school property have you: a. Been pushed/shoved by someone b. Been afraid of being beaten-up 6th Grade 2.5% 3.6% 7.1% 17.7% 69.2% 6th Grade 2.9% 2.9% 4.2% 10.9% 79.1% 8th Grade 1.0% 4.4% 6.9% 17.9% 69.7% 8th Grade 3.9% 1.5% 5.6% 10.6% 78.4% 10th Grade 1.3% 2.5% 6.9% 13.1% 76.1% 10th Grade 2.1% 2.0% 4.1% 11.1% 80.6% 12th Grade 1.3% 2.5% 6.9% 13.1% 76.1% 12th Grade 1.9% 2.1% 4.3% 8.1% 83.7% c. Been in a physical fight d. Had rumors/lies spread about you 6th Grade 1.1% 2.2% 5.6% 13.5% 77.6% 6th Grade 2.3% 6.3% 9.8% 25.5% 56.1% 8th Grade 0.4% 3.0% 4.3% 12.1% 80.2% 8th Grade 2.1% 7.4% 11.5% 24.4% 54.6% 10th Grade 0.7% 2.1% 2.9% 9.6% 84.6% 10th Grade 2.1% 6.2% 11.4% 22.8% 57.5% 12th Grade 0.5% 2.9% 3.8% 12.3% 80.5% 12th Grade 2.8% 3.3% 10.9% 21.6% 61.6% e. Had sexual jokes, comments or gestures made towards you f. Been teased due to your looks/the way you talk 6th Grade 3.2% 6.0% 10.9% 15.0% 64.9% 6th Grade 3.2% 4.8% 11.0% 19.2% 61.8% 8th Grade 4.0% 7.2% 10.2% 16.9% 61.7% 8th Grade 3.7% 5.9% 11.2% 21.6% 57.7% 10th Grade 5.2% 7.2% 11.8% 17.4% 58.3% 10th Grade 3.4% 5.8% 10.6% 22.7% 57.5% 12th Grade 4.5% 5.7% 10.1% 16.8% 62.9% 12th Grade 3.6% 4.3% 11.6% 21.6% 58.9% g. Had your property stolen/damaged h. Been threatened/injured with a weapon 6th Grade 1.0% 2.0% 6.6% 14.2% 76.2% 6th Grade 0.7% 0.9% 1.0% 5.1% 92.3% 8th Grade 1.5% 2.0% 5.0% 17.9% 73.6% 8th Grade 0.3% 0.5% 1.2% 4.5% 93.4% 10th Grade 1.5% 2.8% 3.1% 16.2% 76.5% 10th Grade 0.5% 1.1% 1.5% 3.4% 93.6% 12th Grade 1.0% 0.9% 5.3% 14.6% 78.2% 12th Grade 0.9% 0.9% 1.7% 3.1% 93.4% 12

13 i. Been threatened with harm/injury j. Been mocked, insulted, or called names 6th Grade 1.2% 2.0% 2.3% 12.0% 82.4% 6th Grade 5.1% 7.7% 13.8% 20.8% 52.5% 8th Grade 0.8% 2.4% 3.7% 9.2% 83.9% 8th Grade 4.9% 8.7% 13.7% 23.1% 49.7% 10th Grade 1.1% 2.3% 3.4% 8.9% 84.3% 10th Grade 3.9% 7.8% 12.9% 24.3% 51.1% 12th Grade 1.0% 2.4% 2.2% 9.5% 84.8% 12th Grade 4.5% 7.7% 13.1% 22.5% 52.2% As illustrated in Table 3, most the students reported they had not been electronically bullied in the last 12 months. However, 8.6% of the 10th Grade students reported being electronically bullied via multiple locations (i.e. Facebook, , and text message), followed by 8th Grade students (7.6%), 12th Grade students (7.6%), and 6th Grade students (7.0%). Table 3: Percentage of Cyber-bullied Youth By Grade Level FACEBOOK TEXT MESSAGE INSTAGRAM TWITTER CHAT ROOMS SNAP CHAT TUMBLR OTHER MULTIPLE I HAVEN T BEEN ELECTRONICALLY BULLIED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 6th Grade 1.6% 0.2% 2.5% 2.1% 0.6% 0.8% 0.9% 0.2% 4.3% 7.0% 79.7% 8th Grade 1.5% 0.2% 3.1% 1.9% 0.5% 0.8% 0.5% 0.1% 3.5% 7.6% 80.5% 10th Grade 2.3% 0.1% 2.7% 3.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.3% 0.0% 3.3% 8.6% 79.0% 12th Grade 2.1% 0.2% 2.6% 2.2% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.1% 3.6% 7.6% 80.0% During the past 12 months, all grade levels had reported being bullied often for various reasons. For example, 20.0% of the 6th Grade students had reported being bullied because of their race or ethnicity, followed by 8th Grade students (17.9%), 10th Grade students (16.7%), and 12th Grade students (15.4%). Almost 11% of the 8th Grade students had reported being bullied because of their sexual orientation, followed by 10th Grade students (10.3%), 6th Grade students (9.6%), and 12th Grade (9.3%) (see Table 4). 13

14 Table 4: Percentage of Cyber-bullied Youth in the Past 12 Months By Grade Level During the past 12 months, how often were you bullied for any of the following reasons: a. Race/Ethnicity/Nationality b. Religion c. Gender d. Sexuality/Sexual preference YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO 6th Grade 20.0% 80.0% 6th Grade 9.5% 90.5% 6th Grade 6.2% 93.8% 6th Grade 9.6% 90.4% 8th Grade 17.9% 82.1% 8th Grade 10.2% 89.8% 8th Grade 7.1% 92.9% 8th Grade 10.5% 89.5% 10th Grade 16.7% 83.3% 10th Grade 9.7% 90.3% 10th Grade 8.1% 91.9% 10th Grade 10.3% 89.7% 12th Grade 15.4% 84.6% 12th Grade 7.2% 92.8% 12th Grade 5.0% 95.0% 12th Grade 9.3% 90.7% e. Physical/mental disability f. Your language/accent g. Any other reason YES NO YES NO YES NO 6th Grade 5.1% 94.9% 6th Grade 10.1% 89.9% 6th Grade 29.5% 70.5% 8th Grade 5.8% 94.2% 8th Grade 12.9% 87.1% 8th Grade 27.9% 72.1% 10th Grade 4.8% 95.2% 10th Grade 13.6% 86.4% 10th Grade 25.7% 74.3% 12th Grade 4.4% 95.6% 12th Grade 14.5% 85.5% 12th Grade 21.7% 78.3% Figure 10 - In the past 12 months, who were you electronically bullied by? Figure 10: In the last 12 months, 4.8% of the students reported being electronically bullied by someone they had met in real life, another 4.8% were unsure, 3.6% reported someone they never met in life, and 78.6% reported not being bullied. 14

15 Figure 11: If you were bullied in the last 12 months, did you tell someone at school Figure 11: In the last 12 months, 11.6% reported action was taken when they told someone at school, 8.8% reported no action was taken when they told someone at school, 5.0% reported not enough action was taken when they told someone at school, while 74.5% reported not telling anyone at school. When asked, How often have you electronically bullied someone else, 9.4% of the 8th Grade students reported once or twice, followed by 10th Grade students (9.2%), 6th Grade (8.7%), and 12th Grade (5.9%). Four percent (4.0%) of the 10th Grade students reported either a few times or many times, to the same question, followed by the 6th Grade students (3.0%), 12th Grade students (2.7%), and 8th Grade students (2.6%). As illustrated in Table 5, 4.3% of the 10th Grade students reported electronically bullying someone in last 12 months via multiple locations (i.e. Facebook, text message, Instagram), followed by 6th Grade students (3.7%), 8th Grade students (3.7%), and 12th Grade students (3.3%). Most the students reported they have not been electronically bullied in the last 12 months. Table 5: Percentage of Youth That Cyber-bullied Someone By Grade Level Where did you electronically bully someone FACEBOOK TEXT MESSAGE INSTAGRAM TWITTER CHAT ROOMS SNAP CHAT TUMBLR OTHER MULTIPLE I HAVEN T BEEN ELECTRONICALLY BULLIED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 6th Grade 1.2% 0.2% 1.7% 1.2% 0.5% 0.2% 0.1% 1.0% 3.6% 3.7% 86.6% 8th Grade 2.3% 0.3% 1.1% 0.7% 0.2% 0.6% 0.1% 0.6% 2.7% 3.7% 87.7% 10th Grade 1.7% 0.0% 2.3% 1.4% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 3.3% 4.3% 86.2% 12th Grade 1.6% 0.2% 1.7% 0.9% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.5% 1.2% 3.3% 90.5% 15

16 During the past 12 months, all grade levels reported they had bullied someone else for various reasons. For example, 15.1% of 10th Grade students reported they had bullied someone for other reasons not listed in Table 6, followed by 8th Grade students (14.9%), 6th Grade students (13.1%), and 12th Grade students (10.0%). Nine percent (9.0%) of the 10th Grade students reported being bullied because of their sexual orientation, followed by 8th Grade students (8.2%), 6th Grade students (8.0%), and 12th Grade (5.7%). Table 6: Percentage of Youth That Bullied Someone In The Past 12 Months By Grade Level During the past 12 months, how have you bullied someone else for any of the following reasons a. Race/Ethnicity/Nationality YES 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade e. 93.3% 5.8% 94.2% 6.0% 94.0% 6.3% 93.7% Physical/mental disability 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade YES 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade f. 95.3% 4.7% 95.3% 4.1% 95.9% 2.6% 97.4% 3.8% 96.2% 3.9% 96.1% 3.4% 96.6% 3.1% 96.9% YES 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade YES 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade g. 92.4% 9.1% 90.9% 6.5% 93.5% 6.0% 94.0% 2.9% 97.1% 3.4% 96.6% 3.6% 96.4% 2.5% 97.5% YES 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade NO 13.1% 86.9% 14.9% 85.1% 15.1% 84.9% 10.0% 90.0% The risk factor, Friends Use of Drugs, is measured by using items such as, In the past year (12 months), how many of your best friends have smoked cigarettes? Across all grade levels, the average scores for Friends Use of Drugs range from a low of 0.1 to a high of 1.49 (see Table 7). 16 Sexuality/Sexual preference NO Any other reason NO 7.6% d. Gender NO Your language/accent NO 4.7% c. Religion NO 6.7% YES b. YES 6th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade NO 8.0% 92.0% 8.2% 91.8% 9.0% 91.0% 5.7% 94.3%

17 Table 7: Friend s Use of Drugs By Grade Level When you think of your four best friends (the friends you are closest to), in the past year (12 months) how many of your best friends have: 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE a. Smoked cigarettes b. Tried beer, wine or hard liquor when their parents didn t know c. Drank alcohol to the point of getting drunk d. Used an alcoholic energy drink e. Used marijuana f. Used synthetic marijuana (K2, Spice) g. Used prescription medications for fun (e.g. pain pills, Xanax) h. Used cocaine or amphetamines (speed) i. Used club drugs (ecstasy, K, GHB) j. Used heroin k. Used steroids l. Been suspended from school m. Carried a handgun n. Sold illegal drugs o. Been arrested p. Dropped out of school q. Been members of a gang Student choices for drug use are shaped by their own attitudes as well as social norms and the written and unwritten rules and expectations about what constitutes desirable behavior. Since drug-related attitudes and behaviors are often acquired through peer group interactions, expectations of how one s peer group might react have an especially strong impact on whether or not young people choose to use drugs. The data presented in the following table show the percentage of surveyed youth who said that there is a pretty good or very good chance that they would be seen as cool if they for example, smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol regularly (once or twice a month) or smoked marijuana (see Table 8). 17

18 Table 8: Percentage of Youth Who Indicated Peer Approval of Drug Use - By Grade Level What are the chances you would be seen as cool if you: a. Smoked cigarettes b. Began drinking regularly, that is, at least once or twice a month VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY 6th Grade 3.0% 3.6% 2.7% 9.1% 82.5% 6th Grade 3.5% 4.4% 7.5% 9.4% 75.2% 8th Grade 2.8% 3.1% 4.9% 10.1% 79.1% 8th Grade 4.1% 5.1% 9.0% 13.1% 68.8% 10th Grade 3.2% 2.7% 4.0% 14.0% 76.1% 10th Grade 4.2% 6.1% 8.7% 15.7% 65.3% 12th Grade 2.8% 3.1% 4.0% 8.7% 81.3% 12th Grade 4.5% 6.8% 6.6% 14.9% 67.1% c. Used marijuana d. Used synthetic marijuana (K2, Spice) VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY 6th Grade 9.7% 6.0% 6.0% 9.8% 68.5% 6th Grade 4.3% 2.1% 3.9% 5.8% 83.9% 8th Grade 10.9% 7.6% 10.4% 9.6% 61.5% 8th Grade 4.4% 4.3% 4.8% 7.3% 79.2% 10th Grade 13.7% 9.2% 10.0% 11.0% 56.2% 10th Grade 5.6% 3.3% 5.0% 8.9% 77.2% 12th Grade 13.5% 8.6% 10.5% 9.5% 57.8% 12th Grade 5.0% 2.8% 3.4% 6.9% 81.9% e. Used prescription medications for fun (e.g. pain pills, Xanax) f. Used cocaine or amphetamines (speed) VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY 6th Grade 3.2% 2.2% 3.6% 6.8% 84.2% 6th Grade 2.7% 1.8% 2.5% 6.0% 87.1% 8th Grade 4.5% 2.2% 5.4% 6.6% 81.4% 8th Grade 3.6% 2.0% 2.6% 6.7% 85.1% 10th Grade 4.3% 4.4% 5.3% 10.4% 75.6% 10th Grade 3.8% 2.5% 2.5% 7.4% 83.7% 12th Grade 4.6% 3.0% 4.2% 7.4% 80.9% 12th Grade 3.9% 0.7% 1.4% 6.2% 87.8% 18

19 g. Used club drugs (ecstasy, K, GHB) h. Used heroin VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY 6th Grade 3.2% 2.2% 2.8% 5.8% 86.1% 6th Grade 2.2% 1.1% 1.4% 4.5% 90.7% 8th Grade 3.3% 2.1% 2.8% 4.5% 6.4% 8th Grade 2.7% 1.2% 1.9% 4.8% 89.4% 10th Grade 4.3% 3.4% 5.5% 8.4% 78.4% 10th Grade 3.1% 1.2% 1.9% 5.4% 88.5% 12th Grade 3.7% 1.2% 1.6% 7.8% 85.6% 12th Grade 2.6% 1.1% 0.7% 4.0% 91.5% i. Used steroids j. Used prescription drugs for fun VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY 6th Grade 2.1% 1.3% 1.4% 4.5% 90.7% 6th Grade 2.9% 1.8% 2.9% 5.9% 86.4% 8th Grade 2.1% 1.1% 1.8% 5.6% 89.5% 8th Grade 3.9% 1.8% 3.6% 6.1% 84.6% 10th Grade 3.3% 1.0% 1.9% 5.6% 88.3% 10th Grade 4.2% 2.9% 4.7% 8.3% 80.0% 12th Grade 2.8% 0.9% 1.6% 3.9% 90.8% 12th Grade 3.8% 2.0% 4.0% 6.2% 84.0% k. Carried a handgun VERY PRETTY SOME NO / VERY 6th Grade 5.3% 2.5% 3.5% 6.4% 82.3% 8th Grade 5.8% 2.4% 4.2% 4.9% 82.7% 10th Grade 7.4% 4.7% 5.3% 6.8% 75.8% 12th Grade 7.7% 2.7% 5.9% 3.9% 79.9% Table 9 shows the percentage of students who reported mental health issues in the past 12 months by grade level. For example, 33.2% of the 10th Grade students reported they had felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row to the point where they had stopped doing some their usual activities, followed by 12th Grade students (32.7%), 8th Grade students (31.4%), and 6th Grade students (30.4%). Eighteen percent (18.0%) of the 10th Grade students reported they had seriously considered attempting suicide, followed by 8th Grade students (16.2%), 6th Grade students (15.3%), and 12th Grade students (14.9%). Table 9: Mental Health In The Past 12 Months By Grade Level 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some of your usual activities YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO 30.4% 69.6% 31.4% 68.6% 33.2% 66.8% 32.7% 67.3% During the past 12 months, did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide 15.3% 84.7% 16.2% 83.8% 18.0% 82.0% 14.9% 85.1% During the past 12 months, did you make a plan about how you would attempt suicide 12.0% 88.0% 13.2% 86.8% 14.0% 86.0% 11.9% 88.1% 19

20 Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug Use M any federal agencies have identified certain data that are most important in measuring drug use and perceptions among youth. These data are often referred to as the Core Measures and consist of 30-Day Use (the percentage of students who have reported use in the last 30 days), Perception of Risk (the percentage of students who reported that a drug was a moderate risk or great risk when used regularly), Perception of Parental Disapproval of Use (the percentage of parents who would feel it is wrong or very wrong to use) and the Average Age of Onset of Use. I n this section of the report, prevalence-of-use tables and graphs are used to illustrate the percentages of students who reported using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATODs). These results are presented for both lifetime (any use at all, at any time) and past 30-day prevalence of use periods. Lifetime prevalence of use (whether the student has ever used the drug) is a good measure of student experimentation. Past 30-day prevalence of use (whether the student has used the drug within the last month) is a good measure of current use. 20

21 Figure 12: My Family Has Clear Rules about Drug and Alcohol Use Figure 12: 63.0% of the students reported yes to their family having clear rules about alcohol and drug use, while 37.0% reported no. Figure 13: Tobacco Use Figure 13: Illustrates the percentage of students who reported smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes, or used smokeless tobacco. For example, 17.9% of the students reported they had smoked e-cigarettes. In addition, 17.5% reported they had smoked cigarettes. 21

22 The next two (2) tables present a lifetime comparison and past 30-day comparison over a 17-year period by grade level. In 2015, 8th Grade students reported a significant increase in prevalence-of-use rates in a lifetime for alcohol (36.0%), followed by 6th Grade students (29.9%) compared to percentages reported in On the contrary, 12th Grade students reported a significant decrease in prevalence-of-use rates in a lifetime for alcohol (44.2%), followed by 10th Grade students (41.4%) compared to percentages reported in Also in 2015, 8th Grade students reported a significant increase in prevalence-ofuse rates in a lifetime for marijuana or hashish (20.0%), followed by 6th Grade students (16.2%) compared to percentages reported in However, 12th Grade students reported a significant decrease in prevalence-of-use rates in a lifetime for marijuana or hashish (27.4%), followed by 10th Grade students (24.7%) compared to percentages reported in When comparing the 2010 and 2015 percentages, prevalence-of-use rates in a lifetime for prescription drugs not prescribed have significantly increased across all grade levels (see Table 10). As presented in Table 11, the 2015 prevalence-of-use rates in the past 30 days for alcohol had significantly increased for 8th Grade students (15.9%) followed by 6th Grade students (11.1%) compared to percentages reported in On the other hand, in 2015, 10th Grade students reported a significant decrease in prevalence-of-use rates in the past 30 days for alcohol (16.4%), 12th Grade students (16.1%) compared to percentages reported in In 2015, 8th Grade students reported a significant increase in prevalence-of-use rates in the past 30 days for marijuana or hashish (11.7%), followed by 6th Grade students (8.4%) compared to percentages reported in However, 12th Grade students reported a significant decrease in prevalence-of-use rates in the past 30 days for marijuana or hashish (14.5%), followed by 10th Grade students (13.7%) compared to percentages reported in Prevalence-of-use rates in the past 30 days for prescription drugs not prescribed have significantly increased across all grade levels for 2015 as compared to the other reported years. 22

23 Table 10: Lifetime Use Comparisons By Grade Level On how many occasions (if any) have you: a. Drunk one or more drinks of alcohol b. Used inhalants (paint, etc.) to get high 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE % 11.6% 6.7% 5.9% 29.9% 28.5% 27.8% 7.0% 24.8% 36.0% 54.0% 50.3% 47.2% 55.8% 41.4% 65.5% 67.1% 63.8% 70.3% 44.2% 5.6% 6.9% x 3.1% 2.7% 5.2% 10.6% x 5.2% 3.4% 5.1% 5.6% x 2.7% 4.7% 1.6% 2.4% x 3.7% 2.7% c. Used cocaine 0.4% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.5% 0.2% 1.1% 1.8% 1.3% 1.8% 2.4% 3.5% 2.2% 4.2% 2.1% 2.5% 3.4% 2.4% 4.4% 0.8% d. Used marijuana or hashish e. Used synthetic marijuana (k2, spice, etc.) f. Used prescription drugs not prescribed to you g. Used bath salts to get high 1.1% 2.3% 2.2% 1.1% 16.2% 12.8% 11.6% 15.5% 15.0% 20.0% 27.7% 27.8% 25.5% 36.6% 24.7% 40.4% 41.5% 42.2% 47.7% 27.4% x x x x 1.8% x x x x 2.3% x x x x 3.0% x x x x 1.9% 0.0% 11.8% 6.8% 1.8% 6.9% 0.3% 14.3% 13.6% 4.2% 8.1% 5.3% 4.3% 1.4% 7.0% 10.6% 7.6% 6.9% 1.7% 7.1% 9.4% x x x x 0.0% x x x x 0.1% x x x x 0.0% x x x x 0.0% h. Used heroin 0.0% 0.0% x x 0.2% 1.0% 0.5% x x 0.0% 0.5% 4.3% x x 0.0% 0.0% 2.5% x x 0.0% i. Used ecstasy 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% x 0.9% 0.5% 0.7% 0.2% 0.8% 0.6% 1.3% 1.9% 0.8% x 2.7% 0.6% 1.5% 4.3% x 2.1% j. Used methamphetamine (meth, crank) k. Used prescription pain relievers (e.g., vicodin, oxycontin) without a doctors orders l. Used prescription tranquilizers (e.g., xanax, valium) without a doctors orders m. Used prescription stimulants (e.g., ritalin, adderal), without a doctors orders 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% 0.1% 1.3% 0.3% 0.7% 0.5% 0.5% 0.6% 0.9% 2.0% 9.0% 0.5% 0.0% 11.8% 6.8% 1.8% 5.0% 0.3% 14.3% 13.6% 4.2% 7.4% 2.9% 17.8% 14.4% 10.4% 10.0% 2.8% 23.4% 19.0% 12.9% 8.3% 3.9% 6.2% 3.8% 1.4% 1.3% 5.5% 5.7% 8.9% 3.8% 2.6% 11.2% 11.8% 7.8% 6.5% 5.0% 9.7% 12.0% 8.4% 7.5% 3.8% x x x x 1.6% x x x x 3.5% x x x x 5.6% x x x x 3.6% 23

24 Table 11: Past 30-Day Comparisons By Grade Level In the last 30 days, have you: a. Drunk one or more drinks of alcohol b. Used inhalants (paint, etc.) to get high 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE % 3.5% 2.2% 0.6% 11.1% 10.7% 9.1% 7.9% 6.5% 15.9% 23.1% 23.3% 17.6% 24.4% 16.4% 33.8% 36.0% 34.8% 39.3% 16.1% 2.1% 2.3% x 0.6% 0.8% 1.5% 1.7% x 1.3% 0.8% 0.5% 0.7% x 0.9% 1.2% 0.9% 0.3% x 0.7% 0.2% c. Used cocaine 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.8% 0.1% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 1.2% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 1.5% 0.7% 1.4% 0.0% d. Used marijuana or hashish e. Used synthetic marijuana (k2, spice, etc.) f. Used prescription drugs not prescribed to you g. Used bath salts to get high 0.5% 0.3% 0.7% 0.3% 8.4% 5.2% 6.0% 6.1% 4.2% 11.7% 14.1% 15.0% 11.6% 20.0% 13.7% 15.3% 21.3% 21.4% 29.9% 14.5% x x x x 1.2% x x x x 1.7% x x x x 1.7% x x x x 0.6% x 0.0% 0.5% x 3.9% x 1.0% 0.3% x 3.6% x 2.5% 1.4% x 4.3% x 2.7% 1.7% x 3.3% x x x x 0.2% x x x x 0.6% x x x x 0.0% x x x x 0.0% h. Used heroin 0.0% x x x 0.5% 0.3% x x x 0.5% 0.3% x x x 0.0% 0.0% x x x 0.1% i. Used ecstasy 0.5% 0.7% 0.0% x 0.7% 1.3% 1.9% 1.2% x 0.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.4% x 1.0% 3.4% 4.9% 5.3% x 0.6% j. Used methamphetamine (meth, crank) k. Used prescription pain relievers (e.g., vicodin, oxycontin) without a doctors orders l. Used prescription tranquilizers (e.g., xanax, valium) without a doctors orders m. Used prescription stimulants (e.g., ritalin, adderal), without a doctors orders 0.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.0% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 1.3% 0.3% 0.7% 0.5% 0.3% 0.6% 0.9% 2.0% 0.9% 0.0% 0.0% 4.3% 2.9% x x 0.2% 5.6% 5.2% x 5.8% 0.3% 7.6% 5.6% x 4.7% 0.0% 8.6% 7.0% x 4.3% 1.1% 1.6% 1.5% 0.3% 1.0% 1.6% 3.1% 1.9% 1.6% 1.4% 3.7% 4.5% 4.0% 2.9% 2.1% 3.1% 4.0% 2.9% 2.8% 1.9% x x x x 1.1% x x x x 1.8% x x x x 1.7% x x x x 1.7% 24

25 Age of Onset Surveyed youth were asked to report on when they began using substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. These drugs are generally considered to be the major gateway drugs, usually preceding the use of harder drugs (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University [CASA], 1994). The question related to cigarettes is, How old were you when you first smoked a cigarette, even just a puff? The question about marijuana is, How old were you when you first smoked marijuana? Two questions about alcohol were asked, one asking, How old were you when you first had more than a sip or two of beer, wine or hard liquor and one asking, How old were you when you first began drinking alcoholic beverages regularly, that is, at least once or twice a month. Table 12 presents the average age of onset students reported within each grade level. These four survey questions form part of the risk factor scale Early Initiation of Drug Use. F or most of the data included in this report, readers are encouraged to examine both overall results and findings for each participating grade. In contrast, to best determine when young people first start using ATODs, it is important to examine the responses of the youth in the highest grade in the sample. This is because scores for this item are based only on students who reported engaging in the behavior. 25

26 Table 12: Average Age of Onset By Grade Level Average age of first use: 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE a. Smoked a cigarette, even just a puff b. Smoked an e-cigarette, even just a puff c. Smoked marijuana d. Used synthetic marijuana (k2, spice) e. Had more than a sip or two of beer, wine or liquor f. Began drinking alcohol regularly, that is, at least once or twice a month g. Had an alcoholic energy drink h. Used prescription pain relievers (e.g., vicodin, oxy) without a prescription i. Used prescription tranquilizers (e.g., xanax, valium) without a prescription j. Used prescription stimulants (e.g., ritalin, adderal) without a prescription k. Used cocaine or amphetamines (speed) l. Used club drugs (ecstasy, k, ghb) m. Used heroin n. Used steroids Table 12 presents the average age of onset by grade level. Of those that endorsed using, these are what they reported. Perceptions About Substance Abuse When drugs are perceived as harmless, the probability of use increases. In Table 13, when asked, How wrong do you think it is for someone your age to smoke marijuana, 33.5% of the 12th Grade students reported either A Little Bit Wrong or Not Wrong At All, for by the 10th Grade students (22.8%), 8th Grade students (27.5%), and 6th Grade students (21.5%). Another example, when asked, How wrong do you think it is for someone your age to smoke e-cigarettes, 31.7% of the 12th Grade students reported either A Little Bit Wrong or Not Wrong At All, followed by 10th Grade students (28.2%), 8th Grade students (25.5%), and 6th Grade students (17.2%). In Table 14, when asked, When I am an adult I will drink beer, wine, or liquor, close to half of the grade levels reported yes, except 10th Grade (52.3%). 26

27 Table 13: Perceived Harm By Grade Level How wrong do you think it is for someone your age to: 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE A NOT A NOT A NOT A NOT VERY VERY VERY VERY WRONG BIT WRONG WRONG BIT WRONG WRONG BIT WRONG WRONG BIT WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG AT ALL WRONG AT ALL WRONG AT ALL WRONG AT ALL a. Smoke cigarettes 72.1% 17.5% 6.6% 3.9% 67.3% 16.7% 10.0% 6.0% 62.4% 21.9% 9.1% 6.7% 61.1% 20.0% 11.8% 7.1% b. Smoke e-cigarettes 62.4% 20.3% 9.8% 7.5% 57.5% 16.9% 15.6% 9.9% 51.1% 20.8% 15.5% 12.7% 48.3% 20.0% 16.7% 15.0% c. Smoke marijuana 66.2% 12.4% 11.3% 10.2% 61.3% 11.2% 14.2% 13.3% 54.5% 16.7% 15.9% 12.9% 50.8% 15.6% 17.7% 15.8% d. Drink beer, wine, or hard liquor regularly 68.7% 17.5% 9.6% 4.2% 63.3% 17.0% 11.8% 7.9% 57.4% 20.4% 16.4% 5.9% 55.3% 20.1% 16.2% 8.4% e. Use prescription drugs recreationally 84.8% 10.6% 2.7% 2.0% 78.3% 12.7% 4.7% 4.2% 75.1% 17.3% 3.9% 3.7% 79.0% 13.9% 3.7% 3.3% Table 14: Adult Intentions By Grade Level When I am an adult: 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO a. I will smoke cigarettes 3.4% 96.6% 3.5% 96.5% 4.3% 95.7% 4.8% 95.2% b. I will use e-cigarettes 8.5% 91.5% 8.6% 91.4% 10.9% 89.1% 7.9% 92.1% c. I will drink beer, wine, or liquor 45.3% 54.7% 49.9% 50.1% 52.3% 47.7% 48.5% 51.5% d. I will smoke marijuana 13.9% 86.1% 14.5% 85.5% 18.5% 81.5% 22.2% 77.8% 27

28 Figure 14: How much do you think people risk harming themselves (physically or in other ways): Perceived risk of drug use is measured by, How much do you think people risk harming themselves if they smoke marijuana once or twice? Figure 14: 29.0% of the students reported No Risk to people harming themselves if they tried marijuana once or twice, followed by Slight Risk (26.9%), Moderate Risk (18.5%), and Great Risk (25.7%). In addition, 19.9% reported No Risk to people risk harming themselves if they smoke marijuana once or twice a week, followed by Slight Risk (19.9%), Moderate Risk (23.4%), and Great Risk (36.8%). Figure 15: How easy would it be for you to get, if you wanted Perceived Availability of Drugs is measured by, How easy would it be for you to get, if you wanted cigarettes. Figure 15: 27.8% reported Very Easy to marijuana access, followed by Sort of Easy (12.4%), Sort of Hard (8.1%), and Very Hard (51.7%). Close to 21% reported Very Easy to alcohol access, followed by Sort of Easy (22.3%), Sort of Hard (17.8%), and Very Hard (39.3%). 28

29 Figure 16: How wrong would your parents feel it would be for you to: Parental Attitudes Favorable Toward ATOD Use is measured by, How wrong do your parents feel it would be for you to smoke cigarettes? Figure 16: Over 80% of the students reported Very Wrong to most of the substances, except How wrong do your parents feel it would be for you to use alcohol at all, even just one or two sips (56.6%). Figure 17: How wrong would your friends feel it would be for you to: Peer Attitudes Favorable Toward ATOD Use is measured by, How wrong do your friends feel it would be for you to smoke e-cigarettes? Figure 17: over half of the students reported Very Wrong to most of the substances, except How wrong do your friends feel it would be for you to use alcohol at all, even just one or two sips (39.8%). 29

30 Access / Location of Use R esearch indicates that easy access to drugs increases the probability of use. The next seven (7) tables present data for access and location of use of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs in the past month by grade level. Availability of alcohol and other drugs normally increases at higher-grade levels. For example, when asked, How do you think most kids at your school who drink alcohol usually get it, 21.6% of the 10th Grade students reported Bought or given from a friend, followed by 8th Grade students (18.2%), 12th Grade students (18.1%), 6th Grade students (15.1%). For the same question, 19.4% of the 10th Grade students reported Bought or given from a person 21 or older, followed by 12th Grade students (19.1%), 8th Grade students (14.1%), and 6th Grade students (13.4%) (see Table 15). Table 15: Peers Access to Alcohol By Grade Level How do you think most kids at your school who drink alcohol usually get it a. Bought from store, restaurant, bar or club b. Took it from store c. From their parents with permission d. Took it from a family member e. Bought or given from a friend f. Bought or given from a person 21 or older g. Some other way h. Don't know 30 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 4.3% 3.8% 4.0% 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE 3.9% 2.6% 4.0% 2.9% 2.6% 6.2% 4.4% 3.9% 4.1% 13.9% 14.2% 13.7% 11.6% 15.1% 18.2% 21.6% 18.2% 13.4% 14.1% 19.4% 19.1% 3.9% 3.6% 3.4% 4.5% 39.3% 37.5% 31.2% 37.3%

31 Table 16: Access to Alcohol (Past Month) By Grade Level If you drank alcohol in the past month, where did you usually get it 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE a. I did not drink alcohol in the past month 77.8% 76.7% 72.4% 70.4% b. Bought in a store, restaurant, bar or club 0.3% 1.3% 0.6% 1.0% c. Took it from a store 0.5% 0.8% 0.4% 0.6% d. From my parents with permission 5.1% 4.8% 7.3% 6.9% e. Took it from a family member 2.8% 2.9% 3.8% 3.3% f. Bought or given from a friend 4.4% 5.9% 6.0% 7.1% g. Bought or given from a person 21 or older 2.7% 3.3% 4.8% 5.0% h. Some other way 6.3% 4.3% 4.8% 5.8% Of those that drank alcohol in the past month, 27.4% of the 10th Grade students reported getting alcohol from various places, such as from their parents with permission or bought it from a friend, followed by 12th Grade students (25.4%), 8th Grade students (23.3%), and 6th Grade students (22.2%) (see Table 16). Table 17: Location of Alcohol Use (Past Month) By Grade Level If you drank alcohol in the past month, where were you most likely to have used it 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE a. I did not drink alcohol in the past month 80.6% 78.4% 73.5% 72.6% b. At my home without parental permission 3.8% 4.1% 5.4% 4.6% c. At my home with parental permission 4.1% 4.7% 6.5% 6.4% d. At someone else's home with parental permission 1.2% 1.7% 2.3% 3.3% e. At someone else's home without parental permission 3.8% 5.2% 4.9% 4.4% f. In an open space (park, festival) 1.2% 0.8% 1.1% 1.0% g. At a party where adults had purchased it 1.5% 1.9% 2.5% 2.3% h. At a party where adults had not purchased it 3.7% 3.2% 3.9% 5.4% 31 As illustrated in Table 17, when asked where they used alcohol, 11.9% of the 10th Grade students reported At home with parental permission or without permission, followed by 12th Grade students (11.0%), 8th Grade students (8.8%), and 6th Grade students (7.9%). For the same question, 8.7% of the 12th Grade students reported At someone else s house without parental permission or At a party where adults had not purchased it, followed by 8th Grade students (8.4%), 6th Grade students (7.5%), and 10th Grade students (6.2%).

32 Table 18: Access to Marijuana (Past Month) By Grade Level If you smoked marijuana in the past month, where did you usually get it 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE a. I did not smoke marijuana in the past month 85.2% 82.7% 81.2% 77.0% b. Bought it from a stranger 0.7% 0.9% 0.9% 1.1% c. Bought or given from a friend 8.0% 11.6% 12.7% 13.7% d. From my parents with permission 0.6% 0.1% 0.5% 0.7% e. From my parents without permission 0.3% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% f. From an adult with permission (other than parents) 0.5% 0.7% 0.5% 1.3% g. From an adult without permission (other than parents) 0.9% 0.7% 0.2% 1.3% h. Some other way 3.9% 3.1% 3.8% 4.6% Of those that smoked marijuana in the past month, 23.0% of the 12th Grade students reported getting marijuana from various places, such as Bought it from a friend or Some other way, followed by 10th Grade students (18.8%), 8th Grade students (17.3%), and 6th Grade students (14.8%) (see Table 18). Table 19: Location of Marijuana Use (Past Month) By Grade Level If you smoked marijuana in the past month, where were you most likely to have used it 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE a. I did not use marijuana in the past month 87.0% 83.4% 82.0% 79.2% b. At home without parental permission 2.4% 2.3% 3.0% 4.7% c. At home with parental permission 0.9% 1.3% 1.0% 2.1% d. At someone else's home with parental permission 0.8% 1.1% 1.6% 1.7% e. At someone else's home without parental permission 3.4% 3.9% 4.7% 6.0% f. In an open space (park, festival) 3.4% 5.2% 4.9% 0.6% g. At a party where adults had purchased it 0.5% 0.4% 0.6% 0.4% h. At a party where adults had not purchased it 1.9% 2.2% 2.5% 1.6% As displayed in Table 19, when asked where they used marijuana, 10.7% of the 12th Grade students reported At someone else s house without parental permission or In an open space (park, festival), followed by 10th Grade students (7.9%), 8th Grade students (7.5%), and 6th Grade students (5.8%). 32

33 Table 20: Access to Prescription Drugs (Past Month) By Grade Level If you used prescription drugs not prescribed to you in the past month, where did you usually get them 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE a. I did not use prescription drugs in the past month 91.6% 91.6% 88.7% 90.4% b. Purchased on the Internet 0.6% 0.8% 0.1% 0.6% c. From parents with permission 1.7% 2.1% 3.0% 2.8% d. Took it from a family member 1.6% 2.3% 3.0% 2.8% e. Bought or given from a friend 1.6% 2.3% 3.0% 2.8% f. Bought or given from a stranger 0.4% 0.3% 0.5% 0.6% g. Some other way 2.5% 2.3% 3.3% 2.6% Of those that used prescription drugs not prescribed in the past month, 11.3% of the 10th Grade students reported getting alcohol from various places, such as from their parents with permission or bought it from a friend, followed by 12th Grade students (9.6%), 8th Grade students (8.4%), and 6th Grade students (8.4%) (see Table 20). Table 21: Location of Prescription Drug Use (Past Month) By Grade Level If you used prescription drugs not prescribed to you in the past month, where did you usually use them 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE a. I did not use prescription drugs in the past month 91.2% 93.1% 89.6% 90.2% b. At school 1.4% 0.9% 1.1% 1.3% c. At my home without parental permission 1.2% 1.4% 2.1% 2.1% d. At my home with parental permission 2.1% 1.9% 2.5% 1.9% e. At someone else's home with parental permission 1.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.6% f. At someone else's home without parental permission 0.7% 0.6% 0.9% 0.9% g. In an open space (park, festival) 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.2% h. At a party 1.0% 1.4% 2.9% 2.8% As shown in Table 21, when asked where they used prescription drugs, 4.6% of the 10th Grade students reported At someone else s house without parental permission or with permission, followed by 12th Grade students (4.0%), 8th Grade students (3.3%), and 6th Grade students (3.3%). 33

34 Overall, the majority of students think it is very easy to access alcohol and marijuana. The perceived ease of access to alcohol and marijuana increased with each increasing grade. As illustrated in Table 22, when asked, During the past twelve months, have you driven a car when you ve felt high from drugs, 7.3% of the 10th Grade students reported yes, followed by 12th Grade students (6.8%), 6th Grade students (5.4%), and 8th Grade students (5.1%). When asked, During the past twelve months, have you gotten into difficulties of any kind with your friends because of your drug use, 7.0% of the 10th Grade students reported yes, followed by 12th Grade students (5.4%), 6th Grade students (4.5%), and 8th Grade students (4.4%). Table 22: Under the Influence in the Past 12 Months By Grade Level During the past 12 months, have you: 6TH GRADE 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO a. Gotten into difficulties of any kind with your friends because of your drinking 4.3% 95.7% 5.7% 94.3% 6.3% 93.7% 5.5% 94.5% b. Driven a car when you ve had a good bit to drink 3.5% 96.5% 3.1% 96.9% 3.8% 96.2% 4.1% 95.9% c. Gotten into trouble with the police because of drinking 2.1% 97.9% 1.5% 98.5% 3.2% 96.8% 2.2% 97.8% d. Gotten into difficulties of any kind with your friends because of your drug use 4.5% 95.5% 4.4% 95.6% 7.0% 93.0% 5.4% 94.6% e. Driven a car when you ve felt high from drugs 5.4% 94.6% 5.1% 94.9% 7.3% 92.7% 6.8% 93.2% f. Gotten into trouble with the police because of drug use 2.5% 97.5% 2.6% 97.4% 3.3% 96.7% 3.3% 96.7% Conclusions The sample was highly diverse, representing the unique demographics of the Charlotte area The majority of youth enjoy being in school, and feel their assignments are meaningful About 30% of youth reported being bullied, or bullying others at some point in school, with about 10% being bullied because of their perceived sexual orientation or sexual identity Youth generally reported their friends did not use drugs and alcohol, however the most commonly reported substances were alcohol and marijuana 34 The majority of youth have not used any alcohol, tobacco or other drugs Approximately 18% of youth have tried cigarettes, Use of alcohol in lifetime increased among 6th graders, however decreased dramatically by 10th and 12th graders from previous YDS years Use of prescription drugs in the past 30 days increased dramatically across all grades Perception of risk for tobacco use is very high, however perceptions about marijuana and alcohol use is worthy of attention