SURVEY: MARIJUANA USE AMONG HIGH SCHOOLERS HAS INCREASED

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The percentage of high school students reporting
they used marijuana, tobacco or engaged in binge drinking has
increased over a six-year period, survey results indicate.

The study released Monday by the state Department of Public
Instruction also found that incidents of carrying weapons, fighting,
school-related fear, sexual intercourse and lifetime alcohol use
decreased, in comparison with survey results from 1993.

The 96-question anonymous survey was conducted last spring among 1,
336 students in 46 Wisconsin high schools. State officials said the
random sample was representative of all 278, 814 public school
students in grades nine through 12.

Students who said they used marijuana in the 30 days before the survey
increased from 11 percent in 1993 to 22 percent in 1999, the survey
found. Reported tobacco use increased from 32 percent to 38 percent.

Over half of all students reported having had at least one alcoholic
beverage in the 30 days prior to the survey. Approximately the same
percentage of students said it was important for them not to use
alcohol or drugs.

State Superintendent John Benson said that students who reported
receiving love and support from their families were less likely to
engage in risky behaviors.

" Students who have positive values and who have people they can turn
to for help are less likely to engage in activities that can cause
them problems throughout life, " Benson said.

Students who engage in one type of risky behavior, such as drinking
alcohol, are highly likely to engage in other behaviors like smoking,
using drugs and being sexually active, the survey found.

The percentage of students who reported having had sexual intercourse
decreased from 47 percent to 42 percent. Six out of 10 sexually active
students said they used a condom, the report said.