Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Copyright: 2007 The Palm Beach Post Contact: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333 Author: Christina Denardo, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MORE MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORT DRINKING ALCOHOL Drug use is down in Palm Beach County public schools, but more high school students are consuming alcohol and as many as 20 percent report binge drinking, according to a 2006 state report on youth substance abuse. The Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, which reports teenage drug use every two years, shows that despite a decrease in drinking among middle schoolers, Palm Beach County has a higher rate of alcohol use and binge drinking than the state average. That's because of a increase from 40 percent in 2000 to 46.3 percent last year - and nearly 25 percent rise in binge drinking - of high school students. About 60 percent of middle and high school students in Palm Beach County report drinking alcohol at least once, with 35 percent saying they've consumed alcohol within the month. About 14 percent say they have been drunk at school. "I'm not surprised," said Kim Williams, assistant director of the district's prevention center. "Alcohol is the most widely used drug, and it is a drug, in the United States. Why would it be any different in Palm Beach County?" Use of illicit drugs such as cocaine, mushrooms and methamphetamines remained less than 1 percent. While recent use of marijuana use has declined slightly to 12.2 percent this year, the percentage of students who have tried it at least once increased to 25 percent, a reflection of the state average. Cigarette use declined once again to 10 percent, a 50 percent decline from 2000. In an effort to stem substance abuse, the district has developed several programs aimed at helping students make better choices in all aspects of life, as well as offering alternatives to suspension for students who have been caught drinking or doing drugs on campus. School-based teams, which include teachers and guidance counselors, also refer students to counseling if they see a substance abuse problems. Several high schools also have drug counselors for easy access by students. Next year, the district will pilot a new program for freshman to decrease alcohol use. The current efforts have made an impact on middle school drinking, which declined from 25.6 in 2000 to 19.8 this year, Williams said. Still, the report indicates that students in Palm Beach County have more risk factors for substance abuse than students across the state, such as having a friend with a drug problem, mobility, criminal history within the family and poor academic performance. When many of these students get to high school, alcohol use explodes. Nearly 10 percent of middle schoolers and 25 percent of high schoolers say they have binged on alcohol within the past two weeks, a higher rate compared with the state average of 23 percent. Carol Owsiany, who oversees the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco in Palm Beach and Broward counties, blames the high use on parents who allow their children to drink at home. In some cases, parents have thrown house parties that have attracted dozens of teenagers. In August, a house party thrown by a Seminole High student turned deadly when two young men were shot and killed. Police also have investigated sexual assaults and stabbings during house parties, Owsiany said. Oswiany's agency also conducts undercover stings to catch retailers and bars that sell alcohol to minors. But the real problem Owsiany said is at home, where most students get the alcohol. "I just don't think they understand the dangers," she said. "Unfortunately, it's an accepted norm like a rite of passage and parents don't take it as seriously as they should." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek