Over the past decade, there have been declines in substance abuse in the major problem areas of drinking, smoking, and marijuana, as well as almost all other illegal substances among Maryland youth, according to the 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey, which was released today by the Maryland State Department of Education to the State Board of Education.
Since 1994, the data indicates a nearly 50% decline in the percentage of students using alcohol (in the last 30 days), a 72% and 58% decline respectively in eighth and tenth grade smokers, and a 56% and 51% decline respectively in marijuana use among sixth and eighth graders.
The Maryland Adolescent Survey looks at the nature and extent of substance abuse, indicates trends in use by adolescents, points out safety issues, and helps state and local officials develop prevention program priorities.
"The overall 10-year trend data is gratifying; however, those involved in substance abuse prevention efforts-from schools and law enforcement to parents and community groups-cannot let our guard down," said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. "We do have some concerns about slight increases in certain categories from the 2002 to 2004 surveys, particularly among our younger students, which underscores an analogy that I've used before but is still appropriate: prevention education is a continuous process, like booster shots, that must be administered over time. The Maryland Adolescent Survey is a diagnostic tool that clearly illustrates this point."
Data shows a slight increase in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and inhalants among sixth-graders and a slight increase in the use of inhalants, methamphetamines, LSD, crack, and other substances among eighth-graders from the 2002 to 2004 surveys. The data also shows a decrease in the percent of sixth- and eighth-graders, over the same time period, who said that they were taught the skills to resist pressures to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
A drug and violence prevention curriculum is mandated for grades kindergarten through 12, with an emphasis on the importance of parents and communities in reinforcing messages and resistance skills necessary for true drug and violence prevention. The survey asks students several important questions related to knowledge about potential harmful effects of substances, and since 1994, there has been a steady increase in the percent of students who demonstrate mastery of knowledge. The data also shows that knowledge increases as students move from sixth to 12th grades.
The role of community and family support is evident in the data. Non-users of illegal substances have a closer relationship with parents and family, report the ability to talk with their parents about alcohol and other drugs, and that parents keep closer tabs on them than substance abusers. Across all grades, non-user students were more likely to indicate an adult always shared a clear "no use" message about alcohol and other drugs. Most of Maryland's youth are not receiving clear "no use" messages from their families. Only 55% of sixth grade non-users received a consistent "no use" message at home. The reporting of a "no use" message drops to nearly 19% for 12th-grade users.
"As parents, we need to deliver a clear 'no use' message early and often," said Maryland First Lady Kendel S. Ehrlich, who serves as co-chair of the Maryland Teen Advisory Council, and spoke to the State Board today. "One of the initiatives I am working on with the Maryland Teen Advisory Council and the Maryland Department of Education, is I WANT TO KNOW. This campaign encourages parents to become actively involved in talking with their children and asks them to visibly show other parents and adults that they want to know when their children are involved in destructive activities."
The I WANT TO KNOW campaign was launched last spring with 11th- and 12th-graders and will expand this winter to all middle and high public school students. It includes the sharing of information about the Maryland Adolescent Survey results with parents, signing of parent/student pledges, and blue awareness wristbands embossed with the words I WANT TO KNOW/LIVE for both students and parents.
Background
The findings are part of the 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey, conducted every two years to determine the nature, extent, and trend of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents. Data is collected on a variety of factors that research shows reduce the potential for drug abuse and violence, such as substance abuse knowledge, perceived risks of substance abuse, influence of parents and friends, and resistance to peer pressure to use drugs. Maryland's safe and drug-free schools programs support education and prevention activities to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, as well as violence in schools.
The survey was administered during December 2004 to a total of 34,240 sixth-, eighth-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students, representing all 24 Maryland local school systems. The response rate was 84%.
To access the complete report, log on to marylandpublicschools.org and click on Newsroom, then Special Reports, and then 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey.