LOCAL TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE DROPS OVER FOUR YEARS

The percentage of Treasure Coast teens reporting recent use of alcohol and
drugs has dropped slightly in the past four years, but Martin and Indian
River youths continue to top the statewide average.

St. Lucie County teens are running slightly below the state average, but
school officials fear cuts in funding for anti-drug programs could lead to
higher numbers.

The Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey is a collaborative effort of the
Florida departments of Health, Education, Children and Families, and
Juvenile Justice, and the Governor's Office of Drug Control. The survey was
administered to students in grades six through 12.

Last year, 1,101 students participated in Martin County. In St. Lucie,
1,015 participated and in Indian River County, 1,108. A total of 60,345
surveys were processed in the state. Students are picked randomly and the
survey was anonymous and confidential.

The survey focused on asking students whether they used alcohol, tobacco
and marijuana within 30 days prior to the questionnaire. They were also
asked if they ever binge drink, which is defined as drinking five or more
alcoholic beverages in a sitting.

St. Lucie School Board member Kathryn Hensley worries that lack of funding
for drug and alcohol awareness programs can bring her county statistics up.
President Bush's proposed education budget for 2006 includes cutting the
Safe & Drug-Free Schools program.

"We're not getting a lot of help for the future of our children," she said.

Hensley added that through school groups, such as Students Working Against
Tobacco, students are learning how to make good decisions.

"There's a constant effort to make sure kids understand the effects," she said.

The survey also measures cigarette-smoking among students. Sometimes
students turn to booze after experimenting with cigarettes.

"Cigarettes are one of those things that's an entry level drug. That's
usually the first substance that an upper elementary or middle student will
use," said Robyn Vanover, director of the Safe and Drug Free Schools
program in Indian River County.

Kids turned to cigarettes less in Martin and St. Lucie counties. After
seeing a major drop in its 2002 survey, Indian River saw an increase.

About a year ago, Indian River County lost funding for its tobacco
awareness programs, said Charlene Tardi, Indian River School District's
director of alternative programs.

"It's unfortunate because it was really effective and something that made a
difference," Tardi said. "That focus is no longer there and we see an
increase. That's a shame." All counties admit there is much work to still
be done after evaluating all the data.

SURVEY RESULTS

Other Statistics From The 2004 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey

* Using illicit except marijuana: 8.1 percent in Martin County reported
using one of those substances in the past 30 days of the survey; 7 percent
in St. Lucie County; 7.6 percent in Indian River.

* Being drunk or high at school: 13.6 percent of Martin County students and
14.4 percent for both St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

* Sold drugs: 7.6 percent in Martin; 5.2 in St. Lucie; 7.4 in Indian River.