Among Valley Students: Alcohol Use Remains Constant While Heroin and Prescription Drug Use is on the Rise
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Our kids score top marks in lots of things. Substance abuse isn’t a category to be proud of: Alcohol Use Remains Constant While Heroin and Prescription Drug Use is on the Rise according to Birmingham Group Health Services Inc., Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC)
VSAAC’s bi-annual Survey of Student Needs provides the only Valley-specific information about substance abuse/tobacco usage rate and patterns among 7th, 9th, and 11th graders in the Valley community. While some of the survey results are positive, they also demonstrate that alcohol remains the number one drug of choice among Valley students - a finding that has remained consistent for the past 18 years. Perhaps even more disturbing, however, are survey findings reflecting an increase in student use of heroin, and abuse of prescription pills and over the counter medications.
Two-thousand, nine hundred and ninety-seven students from seven Valley middle and high schools participated in the most recent Survey of Student Needs, conducted in the fall of 2007. The survey polled students about a variety of substance abuse issues including how often, if ever, they used alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs; the factors involved in their decisions to use or not use; and their attitudes and perceptions about substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors.
In response to survey findings, VSAAC is stepping up its prevention efforts in the area of underage alcohol use with monies from a newly awarded federal grant. In addition, a grant from the Valley Community Foundation is assisting VSAAC with its efforts to combat prescription pill abuse. However, VSAAC staff warns that the funding for these efforts is only a part of the solution, and they are asking for the community’s continued help. “To successfully combat alcohol and drug abuse among our children, we need to have parental and community involvement and ownership in the fight,” said Pamela Mautte, Director of VSAAC. “We need to work together so that we’re sending a solid and cohesive message to our youth.”
VSAAC offers a variety of ways for parents and concerned citizens to get involved. Current opportunities for community involvement include VSAAC’s Community Coalition for a Drug-Free Valley and their Congregation Assistance Program (CAP). The Coalition is a volunteer group of parents, students, educators, business leaders and concerned citizens who work together to develop and implement substance abuse prevention/education strategies throughout the community. The CAP program is a free workshop series for the Valley’s faith based communities that teaches attendees the skills needed to assist persons affected by addictions and mental health issues.
To learn more about how you can get involved in VSAAC’s prevention efforts, obtain a copy of VSAAC’s community report “Prevention Saves Live, ” post comments on the VSAAC blog, visit www.vsaac.org, e-mail vsaac@bghealth.org, or call (203) 736-8566.