REPORT SHOWS TEEN DRUG, ALCOHOL ABUSE ON THE RISE

ISU Uses "Core Surveys" To Measure Use And Attitudes About Substance Use

It may not come as a surprise to hear that teenagers are using drugs
and alcohol each day, but the numbers produced by the federal
government might catch some off guard.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found
that on an average day nearly 1.2 million teenagers smoke
cigarettes, 631,100 drink and 586,00 use marijuana. The numbers
continue at that rate, some 50,000 used inhalants, 27,000
used hallucinogens, 13,000 used cocaine and 3,800 used heroin.

The report also stated that in the United States in 2006, one-third
of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had drank alcohol within the past year,
one-fifth used an illicit drug and one-sixth smoked.

According to Kathy O'Connell, alcohol and drug intervention
specialist with Student Health Services, ISU uses "Core Surveys" to
measure use and attitudes about alcohol and drug use from the
students. These studies are conducted every two years, the last being 2006.

The report showed that 89.6 percent of students had consumed alcohol
within the past year, 81.4 percent had consumed alcohol within the
past 30 days, 74.4 percent of underage students had consumed alcohol
within the past 30 days and 62 percent of students said they had
been "binge drinking" within the past two weeks (a binge is
considered drinking 5 or more drinks in one sitting).

Sophomore and German education major, Bobby Crossen commented, "It's
not the drinking that's the problem, it's the partying instead of
studying, some people's priorities just aren't straight."

O'Connell stated that ISU was higher than the national average,
among colleges for drinking. She said, "While we don't encourage
students to drink, we want them to drink in a way that is safe to
reduce the harm that could be caused."

She added that ISU is also above average in secondary effects of
drinking, in categories such as injuries related to drinking.

At ISU there are several options to receive help for drinking or
drug related problems. O'Connell's office is open to walk-ins and
Student Counseling Services also has programs for alcohol and drug problems.

"Our main concern is the students who miss class or are not turning
in their assignments, whose grades are being compromised as a result
of drinking," O'Connell said.

The report also stated that, on any given day, 8,000 adolescents
drink alcohol for the first time, 4,300 use an illicit drug for the
first time, 4,000 smoke their first cigarette, 3,600 use marijuana
for the first time and 2,500 abuse pain relievers for the first time.

Also included in the report, are the numbers of teenagers receiving
treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. More than 76,000 were in
outpatient treatment and 10,000 were in non-hospital residential care.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
compiles this data to understand how much of a factor substance
abuse is in everyday life for teenagers.

A representative said that even though much was being done to lower
these numbers, many young people still engage in these risky behaviors.