Youth Survey Reports Risk Factors for Alcohol, Drug Use

ALBANY, NY (09/16/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today released the state's largest-ever youth prevention survey in which New York teens identify the factors that put them at risk for alcohol and drug use.

Through the 2008 Youth Development Survey conducted by OASAS, more than 92,000 teen-agers in grades 7-12 across New York identified the factors that can lead to a higher risk of substance abuse. The survey also reported on the protective factors that can be used to best prevent alcohol and drug use.

Risk factors include characteristics of school, community, family and peer groups, such as crime or low academic performance. Protective factors, which exert a positive influence, include social bonding to family, school, community and peers, and healthy beliefs and clear standards for behavior.

"We already know that substance use is a problem among our youth, with underage drinking by high school seniors at a rate of 49 percent compared to 43 percent nationally. This means over 100,000 seniors are drinkers," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Prescription drug use is now on the rise at 18 percent here in New York for our seniors compared to 13 percent nationally. More than 38,000 seniors have abused painkillers to get high."

Teens indicated that prescription painkiller abuse and underage drinking are the greatest areas of concern. The survey showed:

• 49 percent of high school seniors drank alcohol within the past 30 days.

• 31 percent of the seniors reported binge drinking within the last two weeks.

• 18 percent of the seniors had abused prescription pain medications.

• 11 percent of all youths in grades 7 through 12 reported smoking marijuana within the past 30 days.

"This survey tells us what is influencing our youth, both positively and negatively, so that we can mobilize our efforts statewide and enhance our prevention services. This is a call to action so that families, schools and communities can decrease substance use and the problem behaviors associated with it," the Commissioner said.

Three decades of research shows that risk and protective factors are predictive of adolescent problem behaviors, including substance use, delinquency, violence, teen pregnancy and school dropout.

Survey Shows Highest Statewide Risk and Protection Factors:

Community: Half of New York teens (52%) are at risk for substance use due to crime and drug selling in their neighborhoods. However, two-thirds of teens indicated adults in their neighborhoods disapprove of teen substance use and 59 percent also indicated that healthy activities are available in their community such as scouting, sports and recreation, and service clubs.

School: Forty-six percent of teens are at-risk due to lower academic achievement. However, 79 percent reported having many opportunities for positive involvement at school, such as individual time with teachers and after-school activities.

Family: Almost half of teens (49%) believe their parents don't feel it is wrong for them to engage in behaviors such as stealing and fighting. Forty-seven percent also reported that their friends engage in these problem behaviors. More than half of teens (53%) were less likely to use substances because they felt rewarded by their parents for good behavior and enjoyed spending more time together.

Individual/Peer: One out of four teens (25%) reported that they began using drugs before age 15, a strong risk factor for developing later addictions. However, 61 percent had strong beliefs in what is "right or wrong" and 60 percent were less like to use drugs due to good social skills.

"Our youths are telling us what we need to work on to reduce the use of alcohol and drugs in our schools and communities," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "With this valuable information we must take an active role in preventing the devastating effects of these substances in our children."

OASAS is using the survey to develop a Strategic Prevention Plan to guide policy and resource development. Survey results will also be used to allocate a new $10 million prevention grant awarded from the federal government that requires the use of data-based planning. Five regional prevention resource centers are in place to help community coalitions and service providers use the data for local planning.

The data is also shared with other state agencies to coordinate planning for underage drinking, tobacco, school dropout and violence prevention efforts. Counties and local service providers are using the results to formulate their annual prevention planning.

"All New Yorkers, parents, educators, business and community members, and our government partners, need to work together to increase awareness about the harm done by drugs, alcohol and gambling for young people," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo.

Action Steps for Families:

• Talk to your teens: Youth who learn from their parents about the dangers of underage drinking, smoking and other drugs are less likely to use those substances.

• Set clear rules about no drug and alcohol use, establish consequences, and reinforce expectations.

Action Steps for Schools:

• Assess the adequacy of substance abuse policies and programs. To learn more about educational programs that prevent substance use, school dropout, violence and other problem behaviors, contact a prevention professional at http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/preventionDirectory/index.cfm

• Support your community prevention coalition or help start one, the risk factors that lead to problem behavior also reduce academic achievement.

Action Steps for Communities:

• Support efforts to raise awareness and get more messages in the media about the dangers of substance use.

• Seek out prevention programs in your community. You can find the prevention professionals in your county at: http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/preventionDirectory/index.cfm

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs, which treat more than 110,000 New Yorkers a day and serve more than 400,000 New Yorkers annually through prevention services.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.