Pubdate: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 Source: Kitsap Sun (WA) Copyright: 2007 Kitsap Sun Contact: http://www.kitsapsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4404 Author: Rachel Pritchett Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) BAINBRIDGE IS HOME TO STUDENTS OF SUBSTANCE Fifty-Three Percent Of The Island's High School Seniors Say They Consumed Alcohol Last Fall -- And 27 Percent Say They've Been Drunk Or High While In School Bainbridge Island -- Alcohol use among Bainbridge High School seniors is 25 percent higher than the state average, a new study suggests. Fifty-three percent of seniors drank sometime during the month before they were surveyed last fall, compared with 42 percent across the state, according to just-released results from the Healthy Youth Survey. Higher drinking rates among seniors were reported in surveys in 2002 and 2004 as well. "We have really great kids that make really stupid decisions," Bainbridge High teacher Josh Zarling told concerned school board members Thursday night. Zarling helped with the study, along with Clayton Mork, an assistant superintendent for the Bainbridge Island School District, and district nurse Heidi McKay. Twenty-seven percent of seniors reported being high or drunk at school, up from 19 percent in 2002, according to the survey. Most respondents reported that booze is easy to get. The majority said they thought it was cool to drink and that they plan to do more of it when they're adults. What's more, island seniors are more likely than others in the state to accept a drink at a party. "Our seniors don't seem to have good refusal skills, either," McKay said, adding that they don't feel there are serious consequences for using at home or at school. She said she was surprised the numbers weren't higher. "Ideally, you'd like to change the attitude, and that's the real change," Mork said. The survey suggests the attitude may not be much different among seniors for marijuana use. Thirty-one percent have used it in the past month, compared with 22 percent statewide. Half of BHS seniors say they've smoked it at one time or another. And, one in 10 BHS seniors have used cocaine, about the same for use statewide. But less than 1 percent report having used methamphetamine, lower than elsewhere. School board members seemed most concerned about a jump in the use of alcohol and other drugs among students between grades 10 and 12. That includes cigarettes. "Whatever the causes are, they make that huge leap between 10th and 12th grade," Zarling said. Board member Dave Pollack suggested students "experimenting" might account for some of the results. Results weren't all bleak from the survey of 266 BHS seniors and a representative sample of students across the state. BHS seniors feel safer and less bullied at school than elsewhere. Nearly half try to do their best at school, compared with a third statewide. More BHS seniors say they have lots of opportunities to get involved in sports, clubs and other activities at school. Nearly twice the number of students at BHS say there are many opportunities to talk with teachers one-on-one. And, 94 percent report that none of their friends have dropped out of school, compared with 75 percent across the state. Nearly 50 percent expect to earn an advanced college degree, twice the state average. School officials are just beginning to digest the numbers and ponder possible solutions. Board member Mike Foley, however, called for short-term solutions in place by the fall. The Bainbridge Island School District voluntarily participates every two years in the study, which is sponsored by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and other agencies. Other Results Besides Bainbridge seniors, the Healthy Youth Survey was also given to sixth-, eighth- and 10th-graders. Here are brief profiles of each: Sixth-Graders Sakai Intermediate School 94 percent said they feel safe at school, compared with 89 percent statewide. Fewer reported being bullied than elsewhere in the state (20 percent vs. 32 percent). Recent alcohol, marijuana and cigarette use is similar to statewide use (1 percent reported using alcohol, zero percent reported using marijuana and cigarettes). As for depression, island students' responses were similar to statewide results. Eleven percent said they had seriously thought about killing themselves and 2 percent reported trying to. Eighth-Graders Woodward Middle School 91 percent say they feel safe at school, compared with 82 percent statewide, and 17 percent reported being bullied in the last 30 days, compared with 27 percent statewide. Recent alcohol, marijuana and cigarette use is similar to statewide averages (11 percent reported using alcohol, 6 percent reported using marijuana, and 5 percent reported using cigarettes). Sixteen percent responded yes when asked if depression had recently interrupted their activities, compared with 25 percent statewide. Other rates were similar to statewide results. 10th-Graders Bainbridge High School 92 percent feel safe at school, compared with 77 percent statewide, and 17 percent reported being bullied, close to the state average. Recent alcohol, marijuana and cigarette use was almost identical to the state average (32 percent of Bainbridge 10th-graders reported using alcohol, 19 percent reported using marijuana and 11 percent reported using cigarettes. Almost twice as many local 10th-graders said they received information at school about suicide prevention (85 percent) than the statewide average. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman