COUNTY METH USE DECLINES, BUT DRUG BATTLE FAR FROM OVER

Teen use of methamphetamine declined 50 percent in Navajo County over
the past two years, according to the 2008 Arizona Youth Survey,
recently released by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission.

More good news is that less than 1 percent of teens used meth in the
30 days preceding the spring survey. Statistics being what they are,
Navajo County youth still rank at double the state average rate for
meth use, compared to their peers across the state (5 percent average
lifetime use in Navajo County vs. 2.5 percent average use across Arizona).

Alarmingly, 6.3 percent of 10th graders and 7.7 percent of 12th
graders in this county have used meth in their lifetimes. For 2008
use, those percentages were all under 1 percent. The biannual Arizona
Youth Survey is a self-reporting questionnaire administered to
students in grades eight, 10 and 12 in schools across the state that
opt to participate. For the 2008 survey, 1,706 county students
participated, comprising 3 percent of students surveyed in the state
but the largest county student census since 2004. Ethnicity of those
surveyed in the county: 39 percent Native American, 44 percent 61
percent Caucasian or other (students could mark more than one ethnic
category).

The bottom line is: Navajo County youth now understand the dangers of
meth and their rate of use is on the decline. This coupled with the
declining manufacture and import of the illicit drug from
Mexico-thereby reducing availability and raising the street
price-should portent further reduction of meth in Arizona. That is,
until home grown clandestine labs-of which there has been a dramatic
decline in Arizona-again upsurge.

Navajo County teens exceed state averages across the board for
lifetime drug, alcohol and tobacco use-the categories surveyed-except
for specific use of alcohol, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin,
prescription stimulants and sedatives and over the counter medications
(OTC medications include cough syrup, Coricidin Cough & Cold, etc).
That being said, in their short lives, 60 percent of county teens have
used alcohol; 47 percent tobacco; 22 percent prescription pain
relievers; and 26 percent prescription drugs.

While county use among teens declined overall in most areas between
surveys in 2004, 2006 and this year's reports, marked increase was
seen in use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and prescription drugs,
particularly among high school seniors.

Parents are the anti-drug. Simply by having a conversation about drugs
with your teens, parents can reduce by 50 percent the chance that
those teens will ever try drugs. A wealth of "conversation starters"
is available on line from sites such as www.partnerupaz.org.

Don't become your child's drug dealer. Clean out your medicine cabinet
at home, properly discarding outdated, unused and dangerous
prescription drugs by taking them to a Safeway pharmacy in Navajo
County or, for schedule II-V addictive opiates and drugs, take them to
your nearest police or sheriff office. Ask your friends and family
members to do the same.

By and large, the Navajo County Coalition Against Drug Abuse-which has
come face to face with more than 16,000 county students and citizens
in its prevention outreach and education programs since late
2006-believes that community awareness and education are melting at
least the tip of the iceberg. Staying atop of trends-such the expected
influx of heroin and cocaine at cheaper prices across our southern
boarders and the rising preference for prescription drug
abuse-continues to be a challenge, both for community awareness and
direct prevention education. Funding issues, lack of local treatment
facilities and programs, and the diverse rural environment present
further challenges to the ongoing task. For a complete overview and
report by county and grade level, the 2008 Arizona Youth Survey is
available to download at: www.azcjc.gov/sac/AYS.asp.

For further information about the coalition, educational materials and
services please visit www.navajocountydrugproject.com or contact the
Coalition at navcoantimeth@gmail.com.

Editor's Note: Campbell is coordinator of the Navajo County Coalition
Against Drug Abuse.