Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2006
Source: Park Ridge Herald-Advocate (IL)
Copyright: 2006 Park Ridge Herald-Advocate
Contact:  http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-newsstand?paper2=pr
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4134
Author: Jennifer Johnson, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DIST. 207 BOARD REACTS TO ALCOHOL, DRUG USE SURVEY

The Maine Township High School District 207 Board of  Education saw 
results April 10 of a survey on alcohol  and drug use given to 
students at all three Maine  schools in December.

In a brief presentation, Don Marzolf, coordinator of  assessment for 
District 207, highlighted findings of  the survey and trends. He 
pointed out that alcohol,  marijuana and tobacco are the most common 
substances  used by Maine high school students, but compared to 
results from the last survey conducted five years ago,  usage is down.

The survey results appeared in the March 16 and 23  editions of the 
Park Ridge Herald-Advocate.

The results show alcohol use to be one of the biggest  areas of 
concern for the district, with 85 percent of  Maine South students 
saying they have tried alcohol. At  Maine West, 76 percent reported 
trying alcohol, and at  Maine East the amount was 67 percent.

Marzolf said that the district's three student  assistant 
coordinators, hired to address issues related  to substance abuse, 
said the fact that 23 percent of  students admitted drinking alcohol 
at home while their  parents knew about it was "striking."

Board member Jeff Bergen called alcohol use "the  greatest villain" 
in schools. He hinted at the school  board looking at a policy that 
would address alcohol  usage by students outside of school.

Board member Joann Braam asked how the district can  best communicate 
the survey results to parents.

Superintendent Steve Snider said the best way is  through actual conversation.

"Less paper, more face-to-face is how this needs to be  communicated," he said.

Snider also pointed out the approach the Maine  Community Youth 
Assistance Foundation (MCYAF) has taken  to get positive messages 
across to the community  concerning alcohol and tobacco use by local 
youth.  MCYAF has been posting messages on public signs in the  towns 
District 207 serves and on posters in each of the  schools and local businesses.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman