Pubdate: Tue, 28 Nov 2006
Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL)
Copyright: 2006 Tallahassee Democrat.
Contact:  http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444
Author: Bill Cotterell, Political Editor
Note: Prints email address for LTEs sent by email

SURVEY: TEEN DRUG USE HOLDING STEADY

TALLAHASSEE -- A state survey shows drug use among Florida teens 
still less than it was at the turn of the decade, but stubbornly 
refusing to budge lower.

"That sets the stage" for a new administration to set new strategy," 
Gov. Jeb Bush said this morning, marking the last youth substance 
survey of his eight-year administration.  	The annual survey this 
year showed 32 percent of sixth through 12 graders report using 
alcohol -- a seven percent decline since 2000.

Smoking is down to 10.6 percent -- below even marijuana use, which is 
at 11.4 percent.

However, the use of anti-depressants and other pharmaceuticals 
continues to rise, particularly among girls. Six years ago, 1.5 
percent of girls surveyed reported using depressants in the past 30 
days. In 2006, that had increased to 2.8 percent.

Bush related the climb in part to social acceptance and heavy 
marketing of behavior- and mood-altering drugs. "We are an 
over-prescribing society," the governor said.

Shortly after taking office in 1999, Bush set a goal for his 
administration to reduce overall drug use by half. Each year, the 
state has conducted a "Youth Substance Abuse Survey," this year 
involving more than 57,000 kids in sixth through 12th grades, who are 
asked if they have smoked, drank or taken any illegal drugs in the past month.

Bill Janes, head of the governor's drug-policy office, said the 
survey has built-in trick questions to trip up students who try to 
either exaggerate or minimize what's going on. Since 2000, the survey 
has shown declines in the use of heroin, ecstasy and LSD, as well as 
in the use of cigarettes and alcohol.

This year, 12 of the 21 categories measured current use below 2 percent.

Findings from this year's survey include:

* Heroin use declined 50 percent since 2000 to 0.4 percent.

* Ecstasy use fell 57 percent since 2001, to 1.2 percent.

* LSD/PCP is down 73 percent since 2000, at 0.8 percent.

* Crack cocaine use declined 25 percent since 2000. Current use rate 
is 0.6 percent.

* Cigarette smoking declined 42 percent since 2000. Current use rate 
is 10.6 percent.

* Marijuana use declined 21 percent since 2000. Current use rate is 
11.4 percent.

* Alcohol use declined 7 percent since 2000. Current use rate is 32 
percent. But booze remains the most common form of substance abuse 
among the young.

The full survey can be viewed on the Internet at 
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/mentalhealth/publications/fysas/
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MAP posted-by: Elaine