Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009
Source: Journal Gazette (Mattoon, IL)
Copyright: 2009sJournal Gazette
Contact:  http://www.jg-tc.com/index.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4180
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SURVEY SAYS: HELP TEENS MAKE GOOD CHOICES

A survey released last week paints a pretty bleak picture of today's 
teens and tomorrow's leaders.

The annual survey was conducted as part of the I Sing the Body 
Electric health coalition. Public high school students in seven area 
counties completed the poll, which found that dating violence, 
illegal drug use and attempted suicides are on the rise.

The numbers are alarming.

For example, the number of female adolescents who reported they were 
sexually assaulted increased 25 percent over the last six years; 
males reported a 13-percent increase since 2002.

One in eight girls and one in 23 boys reported being forced or 
pressured into performing a sex act by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Meanwhile, efforts to warn against methamphetamine use appear to have 
been successful, with 94.4 percent of survey respondents reporting 
they have never tried it.

The news wasn't positive for other illegal drugs, however. One in 
five teens reported using marijuana within the last month, a 
14-percent increase over the last two years. Teenagers' perception 
that marijuana use is risky also rose over the same two-year period 
- -- by 42 percent.

This implies that although teens know smoking marijuana is risky, 
they are taking the risk and doing it anyway.

There were similar results regarding other drugs, as well. Cocaine 
use jumped by 21 percent over the last two years; inhalant abuse was 
up by 15.5 percent since 2006; and steriod use rose 84 percent over 
the last decade. Teens' use of needles to inject illegal drugs rose 
by 18.5 percent over the last two years.

The poll showed mixed results when it came to alcohol consumption. 
More than one-third reported they consumed alcohol regularly, and 
also said they attended a party in which alcohol was served with 
parents' consent.

However, teens also identified alcohol as their top health risk, and 
there were declines in the number who drank within a month of being 
polled, and in the number of binge drinkers.

These statistics point to an alarming pattern among our teens -- they 
are continually participating in self-destructive habits and behaviors.

It shouldn't be surprising that the number of boys who attempted 
suicide rose by 47 percent since 2002, and depression among girls 
increased by 22 percent over the last six years.

Parents, school staff and all adults should take note:

It is not OK to provide alcohol or other illegal drugs to teens.

It is not OK to pretend that all teens rebel at this age, and these 
behaviors are just a rite of passage they must go through on the road 
to becoming an adult.

It is not OK to turn your back on these issues and pretend like they 
don't exist or there is nothing we can do about them.

Parents and adults who play significant roles in the lives of young 
people have a real impact on children as they make their way toward 
adulthood. Keep the lines of communication open, and schedule family 
time -- stay in touch with your kids.

School officials and community members also must do what they can to 
help teens make healthy choices. Be a mentor. Get involved. Lend an 
ear to a teen who might need someone to listen.

We all must work together to make a difference.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom