Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDY FINDS RISKY TEEN BEHAVIOR IS ON THE RISE IN GWINNETT

Gwinnett teenagers are trying sex, drugs and alcohol at a younger age,
according to a new health survey.

The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services asked more than
32,000 middle school and high school students to complete
questionnaires asking about a wide range of topics, including their
drug use and sexual behavior. The results indicate more middle school
students are having sex, using drugs and binge drinking -- drinking
five or more drinks on a single occasion -- the coalition reported.

"We have a serious problem here," said Ellen Gerstein, executive
director of the group. "We're not trying to blame anyone, but we do
need to increase awareness about this behavior. I need parents to be a
partner with us on this and talk with their children about these issues."

Here are some findings from the survey, conducted in spring of 2006,
as reported by the coalition:

6.1 percent of surveyed middle schoolers say that have had
consensual sexual contact with three or more partners, up from 2.4
percent in 2000, the last time the survey was conducted. Sexual
contact includes oral sex and anal sex, but not intercourse.

3.7 percent of middle schoolers say they have had three or more
sexual intercourse partners. This question was not asked in 2000.

8.7 percent of middle schoolers say they have used marijuana, up
from 4.9 percent in 2000.

3 percent of middle school students say they have used cocaine, up
from 1.5 percent in 2000.

7.5 percent of middle schoolers say they had been on a drinking
binge within the past 30 days, up from 2 percent in 2000.

The youth health survey was the third conducted by the commission,
which is a coalition of public and private agencies addressing health
and social services concerns. The survey was completed by Gwinnett
public school students in grades six, eight, 10 and 12.

National studies on similar topics have focused mainly on high school
students. Some studies support Gwinnett's findings, while others post
different results.

A 2005 national survey of high school students by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention found 6.2 percent of teenagers had
sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13. The Gwinnett
survey shows 10.5 percent of high school students and 5.1 percent of
middle school students first had sexual intercourse from ages 12 through 14.

A 2006 national study on binge drinking showed 10.9 percent of
eighth-graders had been on a drinking binge during a prior two-week
time frame. Gwinnett's study found 7.5 percent of middle schoolers had
been on a drinking binge in the past month.

SIDEBAR: ABOUT THE NUMBERS:

The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services surveyed 32,273
teenagers on various topics, such as sexual activity, substance abuse
and personal health issues. Gwinnnett public school students in grades
6, 8, 10 and 12 completed the questionnaire in spring of 2006.

STEROIDS

4 percent of high school students say they have used steroids 2.2
percent of middle school students say they have used steroids

SEX

37 percent of high school students say they have had sexual
intercourse 8 percent of middle school students say they havehad had
sexual intercourse 17.4 percent of high school students say they have
had three or more intercourse partners

The Gwinnett survey, which includes tips for parents, can be viewed
at: gwinnett.ga.gegov.com/gwinnett/content/Final%20Draft2.pdf.