GOOD AND BAD NEWS IN TEEN DRUG USE

There's good news and bad news.

Here's the good news: teen smoking is down significantly. Last year, more
than a third, 34.6 percent of high school seniors responding anonymously to
the Monitoring the Future survey said they smoked. That dropped to 31.4
percent this year. And the percentage of eighth-graders dropped from 17.4
to 14.6 percent.

Drinking remained the same, basically, with the eighth-, 10th- and
12th-graders interviewed.

There were also slight drops in drug use from 1997 to 2000, but only a few
percentage points. The numbers are still high, with 19.5 percent
eighth-graders, 36.4 percent of 10th-graders and 40.9 percent of
12th-graders reporting that they had used at least one drug in the past year.

Plus, there were increases in the use of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, among
all three grade levels.

There was a 5.6 percent increase in the use of the drug in seniors
surveyed. It now stands at just over 8 percent.

Plus the most significant increase came with the use of heroin in high
school seniors. That's up to 1.5 percent, the highest since the group
started the survey.

It's hard to say what the numbers look like here in Mower County. But there
are very tangible ways to curb the use of drugs and alcohol, and those
organizations and community efforts should be applauded.

While it's unfortunate that the community needs a sober school, we are
fortunate to have such a resource. It provides students who are determined
to stay sober a safe and supportive environment.

The Terp Ballroom, sponsored by the Vineyard Christian Church and Youth
Activity Center are both fine examples of safe places for teens to hang out
and socialize without drugs and alcohol.

Programs like DARE help to teach children the dangers of drugs and how to
say no in the face of peer pressure.

Plus all the parents, teachers and members of the community who instill the
value to "just say no" in children also deserve a pat on the back.

But all of these resources cannot survive on their own. They need the
support of the community to thrive and help the children of the community.
Consider how you can support these resources and support the youth of Mower
County.