HARRISBURG – Fewer students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades admit to abusing drugs and alcohol than in years past, but more 10th grade students say they are involved in gangs, according to the 2007 Pennsylvania Youth Survey by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
“This survey and the trend report show we have made significant strides in our schools and communities to reduce binge drinking and driving under the influence, as well as alcohol and drug use among Pennsylvania youth,” said PCCD Chairman Walter M. Phillips Jr. “However, there are areas of concern that persist, especially with youth involvement in gang activity. I am confident that communities, school administrators and stakeholders will work together and concentrate their efforts on outreach programs to keep young people safe and healthy.”
The Pennsylvania Youth Survey measures the prevalence of substance abuse, antisocial behaviors and risk factors among 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders. The survey is voluntary and anonymous, and asks students questions about their behaviors and attitudes on drug, alcohol and tobacco use, gang involvement and related issues. More than 16,000 students from schools across the state were randomly selected to participate.
Pennsylvania’s outcomes are then measured against national outcomes in the “Monitoring the Future” study, conducted by the University of Michigan.
The results provide school officials, state agency directors, legislators and others with vital information about the changes or patterns in the abuse of harmful substances and behaviors. It also assesses risk factors that can predict future behavior problems – such as peer use of drugs, truancy or gang involvement – as well as protective factors, such as family attachment and community involvement – that help guard against them.
The 2007 Youth Survey also features a trend report, which analyzed data from the most recent survey and the three previous survey cycles (2005, 2003 and 2001). The report focused on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; antisocial behaviors (i.e., gang involvement, violence, truancy); and risk and protective factors.
Information from the survey and trend report will allow community leaders to direct prevention resources to programs that can have the greatest impact.
Among the key findings of the 2007 Pennsylvania Youth Survey:
· Youth binge drinking is down. In 2001, 20.9 percent of 10th graders surveyed admitted to binge drinking, compared to 16.8 percent of students in 2007.
· 28.6 percent of 12th graders admit to using marijuana, down from 40.5 percent in 2001.
· 7.1 percent of 10th graders in the 2007 survey said they belonged to a gang, compared to 4.6 percent in 2001.
· Fewer youth are threatened or attacked on school property. In 2007, 20.7 percent of students said they had been threatened with physical harm at school, compared to 24.7 percent in 2003.
To view the entire report, click here.