Youth substance abuse down

By Eric Stevick

Herald Writer

Fewer Washington students reported using alcohol, marijuana and other drugs in 2000 than in previous years, according to a new statewide survey.

Several Snohomish County school districts participating in the 2000 Washington State Survey of Adolescent Health Behavior reported a similar dip. However, some survey questions were worded differently, making specific comparisons difficult.

In general, local officials said the survey, released Tuesday, shows that more students are making better choices, but there is a long way to go.

"There was some good news in that report," said Allen Sharples, curriculum and communications coordinator for the Lakewood School District. "It’s a cause to celebrate, but it’s still unacceptable."

"Our results do mirror the state, and it’s always good to see kids making healthy choices," said Rosemary O’Neil, a spokeswoman for the Monroe School District.

The findings were based on surveys of nearly 18,000 sixth-, eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students from 98 schools. Another 84,662 students in 472 schools, including many from Snohomish County, participated in the survey to obtain school-specific results to use in planning and evaluating prevention and intervention efforts.

Among the findings:

  • At least 76 percent of high school seniors have tried alcohol at least once, and nearly 47 percent reported alcohol use within the previous 30 days of completing the survey. Alcohol use within 30 days for sixth-graders was 6.6 percent; among eighth-graders, 22.8 percent; among 10th graders, 37.6 percent.

  • While binge drinking dipped among students in grades six, eight and 10 and leveled off among seniors, the prevalence is "alarmingly high," state officials said. Within two weeks of taking the survey, 4.7 percent of sixth-graders, 14.9 percent of eighth-graders, 23.2 percent of sophomores and 31.8 percent of seniors reported having five or more alcoholic drinks in a row.

  • While marijuana use appeared to decline, the levels remain "quite high," the state reported. Specifically, about one in eight eighth-graders; one in five 10th-graders and one in four high school seniors reported using marijuana within the previous 30 days.

  • Among high school seniors, the average age of first use was 13.9 years for alcohol,13 years for cigarettes and 14.3 years for marijuana.

    The survey is conducted every two years by state agencies involved in children’s issues. Agencies included the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Office of Community Development.

    You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446

    or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.

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