STUDY - THOUSANDS OF HAWAII STUDENTS NEED DRUG-ALCOHOL TREATMENT

Substance abuse rates among Hawaii students are on the decline, according to
a study conducted in spring 2002 by the state Department of Health.

The study, however, indicates about 1 in 10 students, or 11,319, is in need
of treatment for substance abuse problems.

The 2002 study compared results from previous years and concluded that, in
general, the number of students using illegal drugs on a monthly basis and
the number of students using illegal drugs at least once, decreased in 2002.

About 28,000 sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th graders in 181 public and 38
private schools participated anonymously in the survey.

Dr. Chiyome L. Fukino, director of the Department of Health, said the
findings were encouraging but added, "We continue to have great concern
about the number of adolescents using and abusing substances and needing
substance abuse treatment."

In general, Hawaii students have lower use rate than their mainland
counterparts, according to the study.

The Department of Health also received an $8.4 million grant from the
federal state incentive grant program to pilot youth substance abuse and
prevention programs in 18 communities in the state.

"Making early treatment available and promoting community youth substance
abuse programs have made a difference in the rates of student use and
treatment needs declining," Fukino said.

On the Big Island, the Family Support Services of West Hawaii will launch
two programs, one in South Kona and the other in North Kohala, said Elaine
Wilson, chief of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.

The Laupahoehoe Train Museum is launching another pilot program in
Laupahoehoe.

Currently, the state can only afford to provide in - school treatment
programs to 1,500 students each year.

Treatment programs are provided in 29 of 44 public high schools and just
three of 56 middle schools statewide.

Among other findings in the study:

* Marijuana was the most prevalent drug, with 46 percent of seniors
reporting they have used it, according to the study. Marijuana was followed
by inhalants, Ecstasy, hallucinogens, methamphetamine, cocaine and
sedatives.

* In 2002, about 20 percent of the sixth graders surveyed reported using
illegal drugs at least once; 43 percent of eighth graders, 65 percent of
10th graders and 75 percent of 12th graders admitted using illegal drugs at
least once.

In 2000, 24 percent of sixth graders, 49 percent of eighth graders, 67
percent 10th graders and 77 percent of 12th graders admitted using illegal
drugs at least once.

* Cigarette use began declining in 1998 and continued during 2000 and 2002.
Twenty - eight percent of Hawaii eighth graders admitted smoking at least
once; 42 percent of 10th graders and 49 percent of 12th graders admitted the
same.

The figures are lower than the national average.

* Marijuana use continued to hold steady for all grades except 10th. The
number of 10th graders using marijuana increased from 33 percent in 2000 to
36 percent in 2002 but remained below 1998 prevalence reports of 39 percent.

* Methamphetamine use dropped in 2000 and held steady at 2 percent for
eighth graders, 4 percent for 10th graders and 5 percent for 12th graders in
2002.

* Native Hawaiian and Caucasian students were exposed to most risk.

Contacts:

http://www.hawaii.gov/health/resource/drug_abuse.html