Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2003
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2003 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Author: Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SURVEY STUDIES TEENS, DRUG USE

Boredom, Extra Money, Stress Contribute To Risk, Researchers Say

WASHINGTON - A survey of American children and parents released Tuesday found a
mix of three ingredients in abundance for many kids can lead to substance
abuse: boredom, stress and extra money.

The annual study by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse also found students attending smaller schools or religious
schools are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Joseph Califano Jr., the center's chairman and president, said 13.8 million
teens -- about 55 percent of all kids -- are at moderate or high risk of
substance abuse.

"Parental engagement in their child's life is the best protection mom and dad
can provide," he said.

The study found that children ages 12 to 17 who are frequently bored are 50
percent more likely to smoke, drink, get drunk or use illegal drugs.

And kids with $25 or more a week in spending money are nearly twice as likely
to smoke, drink or use drugs as children with less money.

Anxiety is another risk factor. The study found that youngsters who said
they're highly stressed are twice as likely as low-stress kids to smoke, drink
or use drugs. High stress was experienced more among girls than boys.

Charles Curie, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, said the best thing parents can do to steer their kids away
from drugs and alcohol is to talk to them and stay involved in their lives.
It's also important, he said, to know their children's friends.

For the first time in the survey's eight-year history, young people said they
are as concerned about social and academic pressures as they are about drugs.
In the past, Califano said, drugs were by far the No. 1 pressure on kids.

The QEV Analytics survey of 1,987 children aged 12 through 17 and 504 parents
had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points for kids and plus or
minus 4 percentage points for parents.
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