PARENTS, SCHOOLS TAKE AIM AT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

POULSBO - Despite the idealistic environment the North Kitsap area
offers, it's not immune to the dangers of drug/alcohol use by some of
its children.

In an attempt to help curb a problem hovering right beneath the
surface, a drug and alcohol prevention information night for parents
of North Kitsap School District students has been slated 6:30-8:30
p.m. May 9 in the North Kitsap Auditorium.

Information about the types of drugs kids use, effects on the "teen
brain", what to do and how to get help will be provided.

"Every parent thinks, 'It's not my kid,'" NKSD community relations
director Chris Case said. "Even if it's not your kid, you should come
because it might be another kid you know. I encourage parents to
attend. There will be a lot of information available."

Due to the explicit nature of demonstrations that will take place at
the meeting, students will not be allowed at the session. However,
Case encourages parents of students at all grade levels to attend.

"Drug problems can start before high school," she said. "It can begin
at elementary grade levels and middle school grade levels."

Guest speaker Daniel J. Bissonnette, who's a chemical dependency
professional and the executive director of A Chance to Change, will
be on hand to answer questions from the public during the meeting.

In October 2006, the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey was
administered in schools throughout the state, following a sampling
plan to ensure results were representative of students statewide.

Sixth graders, eighth graders and 10th graders were surveyed in the
NKSD. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. A
total of 1,285 valid responses were identified between the three
grade levels participating in the survey.

The results were particularly alarming - especially regarding
behavior toward alcohol.

According to survey results, between 17.6 percent and 21.2 percent of
North Kitsap students reported being in a car with someone driving
under the influence at least once during the past month (October
2006). In addition, 36 percent of eighth grade students started
drinking at the age of 14 or younger. Research indicates that
students who begin experimenting with or using alcohol before the age
of 14 are significantly more likely to be alcohol dependent as young
adults.

Also according to the survey, marijuana usage in students increases
significantly between sixth grade and 10th grade. The results stated
that 0.7 percent of sixth graders reported using marijuana in the
past 30 days (October 2006) compared to 19.5 of 10th grade students.

In a fact that may surprise the general public, statistics in the
survey show nearly one in five high school-aged students reported
coming to school drunk or high at least one or more times in the
previous year (2005).