ANTI-DRUG EDUCATION ANALYZED BY YOUTHS

The Maine Legislative Youth Advisory Council, the first group of its
kind in the nation, will recommend today that the state take several steps
to improve substance abuse education.

The proposals, part of the group's first annual report to the Legislature,
include revamping the state's annual survey of teen drug use and replacing
DARE, the widely used Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

The report will also urge lawmakers to routinely seek the advice of young
people when addressing issues related to teens, drugs and alcohol. The
suggestions come as state officials are stepping up efforts to combat
underage drinking and reduce fatalities involving young drivers.

Last month, Gov. John Baldacci announced a $400,000 television ad campaign
and a $9 million, federally funded community campaign to prevent underage
drinking. And Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky has proposed tightening laws
for young drivers by creating a six-month intermediate license for new
drivers under 18, and by banning those teens from driving between midnight
and 5 a.m. Gwadosky wants to reduce fatalities involving young drivers,
which totaled 55 last year.

The council, which includes 18 high school and college students ages 15-21
from across the state, first met six months ago after being established by
the Legislature in 2001. Its primary duties are to address issues referred
by the Legislature, propose legislation based on their own ideas, and serve
as representatives for other youths in the state. Members are appointed by
the speaker of the House and Senate president.

"We're really excited to show them all of the work we've done," said Molly
Feeney, 17, co-chairwoman of the council.

When the council first met last August, members quickly decided to study
substance-abuse prevention programs in the state, such as DARE, and
determine if there is any room for improvement.

"I think we chose that just because it's the one issue that is ongoing,"
said Feeney. "People are always trying to tackle it and come up with one
easy solution, but there isn't one. . . . It's one of those issues where
there's always room for improvement."

So far the youth council has held six monthly meetings in addition to two
public hearings. It also heard testimony from a number of substance-abuse
prevention and treatment professionals before drafting its report.

The report makes nine recommendations, a number of which pertain to the
state Office of Substance Abuse. They include:

Reviewing the Office of Substance Abuse's Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use
Survey, which is periodically administered to middle school and high school
students.

The council is concerned that the survey, which has about 130 questions, is
too long and that teens do not take it seriously. The survey also leaves
out teens who are home-schooled or have dropped out of school.

"As students and youth, we felt we could give the best input to let them
know this survey is not as effective as it should be," said Feeney.

Searching for more effective alternatives to the DARE program offered by
the Maine State Police.

"It's hard to say that DARE is not effective at all, and that's not what
we're saying," said Feeney. "We're recommending that people consider other
programs, too."

Kim Johnson, director of the Office of Substance Abuse, said she was not
surprised to hear the youth council was tackling DARE and teen substance
abuse in general.

"Any time we or other people survey kids about what issues are on their
mind, substance abuse always comes in near the top," she said.

Johnson said the youth council's criticism of DARE has been backed by
research, and her office helps schools and communities find more modern
prevention programs that have been proven effective.

Johnson said she likes most of the youth council's recommendations, but she
is not in favor of changing the teen substance use survey.

"They had a whole presentation that wasn't from (our office), and I think
that misrepresented the survey," she said. "They're right, (the survey) is
too long. . . . But this survey has been validated and it's one that a lot
of states use. . . . I feel very confident about the survey instrument."

Johnson said staffers from her office have been present at every meeting of
the youth council, which formed a three-member subcommittee to focus on
teen substance abuse issues last month.

The council also is calling for a three-member youth advisory committee to
report to the Office of Substance Abuse, the secretary of state and the
commissioner of education.

"A lot of decisions we make impact them," said Johnson. "Hearing what they
have to say about that is important."