SURVEY: DRUG USE STILL A THREAT TO YOUTH

Underage Drinking, Violence And Early Sexual Activity Among Concerns

Caddo-Bossier adults surveyed by The Times have strong opinions on
teensí risky health behaviors but apparently are at a loss when it
comes to deciding whether to cut health or education budgets -- money
that could be used in teen programs.

The newspaper surveyed nearly 400 registered voters: 69 percent white,
31 percent black, 42 percent male and 48 percent female.

Among results of the survey:

On the question of risk behaviors, 42 percent of total persons
surveyed said the combination of smoking, early sexual activity,
underage drinking, violence and illegal drug use threatened youthsí
future. Of the five different risk behaviors listed, 27 percent said
illegal drug use was most threatening.

More African-Americans, 37 percent, than whites, 24 percent, cited
illegal drug use. Also, 12 percent of African-Americans, about twice
as many as whites, said violence was a key factor in kidsí future health.

Concerning the best way to decrease teen pregnancy, 30 percent said
information should come from parents in the home but 29 percent said
abstinence and contraceptive use should be taught in schools.

More African-Americans, 39 percent, than whites, 28 percent, said
parents should be responsible for informing their children. More
whites, 14 percent, than blacks, 8 percent, said abstinence only
should be taught.

On cutting health or education funds, the majority, 57 percent, had no
opinion. Twenty-six percent said health should be cut first.
Thirty-eight percent of African-Americans said education should be
cut, compared to 11 percent of whites.