SURVEY SAYS: HELP TEENS MAKE GOOD CHOICES

A survey released last week paints a pretty bleak picture of today's
teens and tomorrow's leaders.

The annual survey was conducted as part of the I Sing the Body
Electric health coalition. Public high school students in seven area
counties completed the poll, which found that dating violence,
illegal drug use and attempted suicides are on the rise.

The numbers are alarming.

For example, the number of female adolescents who reported they were
sexually assaulted increased 25 percent over the last six years;
males reported a 13-percent increase since 2002.

One in eight girls and one in 23 boys reported being forced or
pressured into performing a sex act by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Meanwhile, efforts to warn against methamphetamine use appear to have
been successful, with 94.4 percent of survey respondents reporting
they have never tried it.

The news wasn't positive for other illegal drugs, however. One in
five teens reported using marijuana within the last month, a
14-percent increase over the last two years. Teenagers' perception
that marijuana use is risky also rose over the same two-year period
- -- by 42 percent.

This implies that although teens know smoking marijuana is risky,
they are taking the risk and doing it anyway.

There were similar results regarding other drugs, as well. Cocaine
use jumped by 21 percent over the last two years; inhalant abuse was
up by 15.5 percent since 2006; and steriod use rose 84 percent over
the last decade. Teens' use of needles to inject illegal drugs rose
by 18.5 percent over the last two years.

The poll showed mixed results when it came to alcohol consumption.
More than one-third reported they consumed alcohol regularly, and
also said they attended a party in which alcohol was served with
parents' consent.

However, teens also identified alcohol as their top health risk, and
there were declines in the number who drank within a month of being
polled, and in the number of binge drinkers.

These statistics point to an alarming pattern among our teens -- they
are continually participating in self-destructive habits and behaviors.

It shouldn't be surprising that the number of boys who attempted
suicide rose by 47 percent since 2002, and depression among girls
increased by 22 percent over the last six years.

Parents, school staff and all adults should take note:

It is not OK to provide alcohol or other illegal drugs to teens.

It is not OK to pretend that all teens rebel at this age, and these
behaviors are just a rite of passage they must go through on the road
to becoming an adult.

It is not OK to turn your back on these issues and pretend like they
don't exist or there is nothing we can do about them.

Parents and adults who play significant roles in the lives of young
people have a real impact on children as they make their way toward
adulthood. Keep the lines of communication open, and schedule family
time -- stay in touch with your kids.

School officials and community members also must do what they can to
help teens make healthy choices. Be a mentor. Get involved. Lend an
ear to a teen who might need someone to listen.

We all must work together to make a difference.