MILFORD FINDS HIGHER RESULTS UNTRUSTWORTHY

The percentage of ninth- and 10th-graders who say they've used drugs
is slightly higher in Milford than the rest of the state, according
to a survey released Wednesday.

However, state researchers say that because only 444 students were
surveyed in Milford, compared to 9,130 in the state, they're not sure
the comparison is accurate.

"It would have to be looked at locally," said Dr. Wayne F. Dailey, a
spokesman for the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services.

Milford Schools Supt. Mary Jo Kramer believes that, since the data is
based on student responses, "the braggart factor" may be involved.

"Kids do respond that way," she said. "All of this is self reported
There's no way to confirm or verify what they're saying."

Kramer said that, despite the fact that she distrusts student
responses, the school district takes drugs very seriously and runs
numerous awareness and prevention programs, both on its own and in
conjunction with the city, police department and area hospitals.

In addition to anti-drug programs, she said the district and city
offer numerous after-school programs to provide positive alternatives
to drug use.

According to the survey, 41.1 percent of ninth- and 10th-graders in
Milford said they'd used marijuana, compared to 36.1 percent
statewide.

Among other findings for Milford students:

* 22.1 percent said they used inhalants, compared to 14.4 percent statewide.

* 11.7 percent said they used hallucinogens (LSD, acid, mushrooms),
compared to 8.8 percent statewide.

* 10.4 percent said they used Ecstacy, compared to 6.9 percent statewide.

* 2.2 percent said they used heroin, compared to 1.8 percent statewide.

Teens interviewed in Milford on Wednesday said drugs are readily
available. The teens, who did not want to give their names, said it's
not a stereotypical pusher that Milford youth deal with. Rather, it's
older brothers, sisters and friends who provide drugs and alcohol.

Marijuana and alcohol are the drugs of choice among students as young
as middle-school age, meaning around 13, said a 14-year-old boy in
downtown Milford.

Alcohol is consumed mostly at home, when parents aren't around, or at
city parks and places where nobody will see teens imbibe, he said.

Marijuana is more common on school grounds, though, because it can be
concealed and smoked outdoors, where nobody will notice.

"The kids in school know who sells it," said a 13-year-old boy.

Ecstacy use is not common among young teens, but rather among older
teens who are not novices at getting high on drugs and alcohol, said
an 18-year-old.

He said nobody wants to get caught with Ecstasy in school, which is
not a comfortable place to get high on the drug. He said marijuana
blends more easily into a school day.

"It's mostly older friends, older brothers and sisters, who get it
for you," said the young man, who spoke about his own experiences as
an underage drinker.

"I've got friends who are 21 to 26 years old, and they can get it for
me," he said.