TEEN SUBSTANCE USE HIGH IN ALBANY COUNTY

School officials are disturbed by a recent survey showing more than
half of Albany County high schoolers have sampled marijuana over the
course of their life, in addition to other hardcore drugs.

The 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Report found that 51 percent of
local teens have used marijuana at some point in life; more than 28
percent had done so 30 days prior to the survey and 11.5 percent
started before age 13.

"It clearly shows we have some work to do," said Brian Recht,
superintendent of Albany County School District.

The teen survey is based on anonymous responses from high school
students throughout the state. In Albany County, 595 students in
grades 10, 11 and 12 were quizzed in the spring of 2003.

The popularity of binge drinking and other drug use also concerns
school officials. The survey reported 38.5 percent of youth had
consumed five or more drinks in a row within the past month.

More than 80 percent of local teens reported using alcohol in their
lifetime, 14.9 percent used methamphetamine, 14.4 percent used
cocaine, 10.7 percent used ecstasy and 4.7 percent used heroin.

"I really have concerns over all the results," Recht said. "We will
really use these results to continue to implement education as an
intervention strategy and to promote positive behavior in students."

Other findings: 35.5 percent of youth rode in cars driven by people
using alcohol, 20.9 percent admitted to drinking while driving, 6.3
percent used marijuana on school property, 6.1 percent used steroids
and 4.4 percent used needles to inject illegal drugs.

Additionally, more than 27.2 percent used alcohol and drugs before
their last sexual encounter, 18.7 percent were offered, sold or given
illegal drugs on school property and 14.6 percent had used inhalants
like paint and aerosol spray cans to get high.

It's troubling so many teens are obtaining and using drugs at school,
Recht said.

"I would like to see that number at zero, because I think drugs are
really the bane of our society," he said. "They're really hurtful to
people and our community."

School officials plan to educate the community via brochures,
newsletters and advertisements. Information will also be posted on the
Drug Free Schools Web site (www.wyofamilies.com).

"We're always trying to figure out new and better ways to communicate
to parents the seriousness of the problem and their part in it," said
Diana Seabeck, coordinator of Drug Free Schools.

In an effort to get the community involved, school officials have
joined forces with local awareness groups, such as the Coalition to
Prevent Substance Abuse (CPSA).

"We don't think parents understand the extent to which youth in Albany
County are using substances," said CPSA coordinator Tamara Sandberg.

According to the coalition, substance abuse statistics would plummet
if adults would simply take responsibility.

"Kids think adults don't really care if they are or aren't using
substances," Sandberg said. "We know there are adults who care, we
just need to do a better job of letting kids know we don't think it's
OK."

According to the 2001 Prevention Needs Assessment that surveyed all
local 12th, 10th, eighth and sixth-graders, there's a clear connection
between underage drinking and adult attitudes.

The survey found that 46 percent of 12th graders in Albany County
believed the community sends the message that it's OK to drink and
that "kids will be kids -- we expect you to drink."

Other noteworthy findings of the risk behavior survey:

n More than 26 percent of teens carried a weapon such as a gun, knife
or club in the past month, and 13.4 percent did so on school grounds.
During the past year, 11.2 percent were threatened or injured by
someone carrying a weapon at school.

n About 50 percent have had sexual intercourse, and 18 percent
reported having four or more partners. More than 10 percent had been
physically forced to have sexual intercourse against their will.

n During the past year, 17 percent seriously considered attempting
suicide and 11.2 percent actually attempted suicide.

n Sixty-one percent had tried smoking cigarettes and 21.2 percent
reported smoking an entire cigarette for the first time before age 13.
Additionally, 17.5 percent used chewing tobacco or snuff in the past
year.

n More than 30.3 percent described themselves as slightly or very
overweight, and 38.3 percent were trying to lose weight.