Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 Source: Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Copyright: 2005 The Times Leader Contact: http://www.timesleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/933 Author: Jennifer Learn-Andes Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) SURVEY REVEALS HURDLES TO DRUG-FREE STUDENTS Luzerne County Conclusions Regarding Risk Factors Slightly Higher Than National Norm A new survey of nearly 4,000 Luzerne County students in grades 6, 8 and 10 designed to identify what should be addressed to prevent drug abuse contains some startling findings. * 58 percent of 3,754 respondents worry their communities are in disarray because of things like graffiti, abandoned buildings, fighting and sales of drugs. * 4 percent said they've carried a handgun in the past year. * 2.7 percent reported attempting to steal a vehicle in the past year. * 14.6 percent said they attacked someone with the intent to harm them during the past year. Would youths be perceived as cool by peers for smoking marijuana? Forty-six percent of sixth-graders and 56 percent of tenth-graders thought so. The county's Drug/Alcohol Study Commission and other county offices and outside agencies conducted the survey in all public school districts except Hazleton Area from March through May. The study was referenced during Tuesday's meeting of the study commission. Massachusetts-based Channing Bete Co. compared local results to those obtained in its similar survey of 72,000 students nationwide as part of the "Communities That Care" program. Part of the survey measures "risk factors" -- characteristics in a community, family, school and individual's environments that are known to increase the likelihood that a student will engage in problem behavior. The 58 percent with concerns about breakdowns in their communities compared to the national norm of 50 percent. About 56 percent of Luzerne County youths surveyed -- 6 percent above the national norm -- felt laws and community standards are favorable toward drug use. Overall, Luzerne County students received 54 percent on the survey's "family conflict scale" because their family members have serious arguments and insult each other. That's 4 points higher than the average 50 percent. Asked what drugs the youths had used, 50 percent said alcohol, 30 percent cigarettes, 16 percent marijuana, and 10 percent inhalants. About 12 percent of Luzerne County students reported at least one episode of binge drinking during the two weeks prior to the survey, while 7.1 percent reported having been drunk or high at school in the past year. On a happier note, the students had positive scores in some "protective factors" or characteristics known to decrease the likelihood that students will engage in problem behaviors -- things such as joining positive organizations and believing in morals. For example, the survey measured "belief in the moral order" with many questions such as whether it was OK to beat up people if they start a fight. Luzerne County students scored 56 percent in this category, compared to the average of 50. "Young people who have developed a positive belief system are less likely to become involved in problem behaviors," the survey says. Commission members plan to pore over the results and figure out where findings need to be stressed and discussed. For example, community and government leaders must understand how the conditions of their communities worry youths. Parents need to know how bickering and belittling at home can drive children to escape through drugs. County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak, who is on the commission, said he's particularly concerned that youths worry about the safety of their communities. People have to wake up and attack the problem, he said, comparing it to the movie, "The Blob." "It continues to grow and will continue to swallow everything in its path - -- including people who aren't drug users or addicts -- unless people take a proactive approach to it and nip it in the bud," Skrepenak said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth