THE STATE OF OUR KIDS ... SUBSTANCE ABUSE DOWN, BUT SURVEY SHOWS SOME
TROUBLE SIGNS

TWIN FALLS -- A lower percentage of kids is using drugs and alcohol and is
smoking in most counties in the Magic and Wood River valleys than two years
ago, according to the most comprehensive survey of youth behavior ever
conducted in south-central Idaho.

HealthNet, a coalition that includes the College of Southern Idaho, area
hospitals and public agencies, surveyed nearly 14,000 sixth- through 12th
graders last winter and spring in 24 school districts.

It found that in seven of eight counties, the percentage of youngsters
reporting that they had smoked cigarettes one or more times in the previous
30 days decreased by at least 3 percent since the last survey, between
1998-2000. The exception was Minidoka County, where the percentage shrank
by 1 percent.

It also found that in five of the eight counties, the percentage of kids
who admitted they had used illicit drugs one or more times in the previous
year dropped by least 2 percent. It increased by 1 percent, from 9 percent
to 10 percent, in Minidoka County and remained the same -- at 9 percent and
10 percent, respectively -- in Lincoln and Twin Falls counties.

The average number of 40 designated development "assets" grew in three of
the eight south-central Idaho counties, stayed the same in one county and
decreased slightly in four counties, according to Karyn Goodale, HealthNet
regional coordinator.

"This is the most accurate picture of youth attitudes and behaviors that
we've ever had," she said. "It's just a snapshot of what kids are doing and
what they think about their lives, but it's a valuable starting point as a
tool for discussion about how to improve the well- being of youth and
communities."

The average number of assets that kids in the eight-county region report is
19.9.

But the survey also found:

* The percentage of youth reporting they used alcohol once or more in the
previous 30 days decreased in five of the eight counties, stayed the same
in two counties and increased -- from 23 to 24 percent -- in Twin Falls
County. Regionwide, it was 24 percent.

* In the Magic and Wood River valleys, 12 percent of the kids surveyed said
they smoked. The legal age for buying tobacco in Idaho is 18.

* Eighteen percent reported they had used marijuana in the previous year,
ranging from 13 percent in Cassia County to 24 percent in Blaine County.
The regionwide average was 18 percent.

* Twenty-four percent of the youngsters surveyed said they'd used alcohol
in the previous month, ranging from 18 percent in Cassia County to 31
percent in Blaine County. It's illegal in Idaho for anyone under the age of
21 to drink.

* Smokeless tobacco use fell in seven of the eight counties to a regional
average of 6 percent. It stayed the same in Camas County.

* Twelve percent of the kids surveyed regionwide said they'd driven after
drinking in the previous year.

* One student in 10 said they'd "huffed" -- sniffed inhaled substances to
get high -- in the previous year.

* The survey found that the average number of developmental "assets"
decreases by grade level -- up to a point. The average number among
sixth-graders was 22.9; among ninth-graders it was 18.4, although high
school seniors reported 19.5.

* In the three south-central Idaho counties where the average number of
"assets" increased -- Blaine, Gooding and Lincoln -- risk factors
significantly decreased.

"Progress was more evident in smaller counties where asset-building efforts
have been going on for at least three years," Goodale said. "Smaller
counties are easier to mobilize, and progress shows up more quickly."

Thirteen thousand three hundred fourteen students -- about three- fourths
of all students in the sixth-through 12th grades in the public schools of
the eight counties -- responded to the survey, conducted between February
and April. HealthNet surveyed a much smaller sample of kids between 1998-2000.

"In some cases, it's like comparing oranges with apple juice," Goodale
said. "For example, in Twin Falls County two years ago, only kids in the
sixth, seventh, ninth and 10th grades were surveyed."

The "assets" index was developed by the Search Institute, a Minnesota-based
research company. Ideally, teens should have between 31 and 40 such
"assets" in their lives, the institute said. Asset categories include
support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of
time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and
positive identity. The Search Institute contends that kids with 31 or more
"assets" have only a 3 percent likelihood or using alcohol and a 1 percent
risk of using illicit drugs, and that they're 53 percent more likely to
succeed in school and 88 percent more apt to maintain good health.

HealthNet established eight outcome objectives in 1996 designed to develop
youth assets and reduce risk-taking behavior, and since then coalitions in
eight counties have worked to implement them.

"The data will be shared with coalition members, school personnel, county
and local government officials and community groups and members," Goodale said.

In addition to CSI, HealthNet includes Family Health Services, Magic Valley
Regional Medical Center, the South Central District Health Department,
Cassia Regional Medical Center, the Walker Center, Minidoka Memorial
Hospital and St. Benedicts Family Medical Center.