The results of the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission’s Arizona Youth Survey 2012, released last week, show use of prescription drugs to get high decreasing among teens and underage drinking showing a decline as well.
“It’s great to see that our prevention programs are making such a huge difference in the lives of so many teens in our state,” said Garth Stevens, chairman of the board for DrugFreeAz.org. “Now, we must build on this momentum as there is more work to be done.”
Among the key findings from the report include:·
· Prescription pain relieverabuse fell from 17.6% to 13.8% for those reporting lifetime use and down from 8.1% to 6.2% for usage in the past 30 days.
- In the past 30 days, 14% of youth in 8th, 10th and 12th grade say they have used marijuana.
- Alcohol is still the number one substance used by the largest percentage of Arizona youth, with slightly more than half of all teens saying they have consumed alcohol in their lifetime. However, that number is down from 61.7% in 2006 and 58.2% in 2010.
- Ecstasyremains on the radar as 6% of youth report lifetime use
- Synthetic Drugsare also a growing concern with nearly 1 out of 10 youth reporting that they have tried a synthetic drug like bath salts or spice to get high.
“When I hear this news, it means more to me than just percentage declines,” said Kim Obert, program manager for DrugFreeAz.org, who lost her son, Kent, at just 18-years-old to a prescription drug overdose. “Kent died in 2003, and when I think of the number of young people that are getting the message that using a prescription drug is just as dangerous, addictive and deadly as using a street drug like heroin, I know our messages are getting through.”
DrugFreeAz.org is the statewide leader in medicine abuse prevention. Through educational DVDs, online education programs, parent workshops and other prevention programs, DrugFreeAZ.org continues to raise awareness among parents and teens of the dangers of these medications when used to get high.
A key education initiative is the organization’s RX360, a research-based community education program developed by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America to raise awareness of the problem of prescription drug abuse by middle and high school-age children. In conjunction with RX360, DrugFreeAZ.org conducts statewide trainings, participates in ongoing drug “take-back” days and develops print and broadcast public service announcements.
In addition, DrugFreeAz.org has a variety of resources and tools to help parents begin the conversation with their child about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Chief among those is AZ Parents Connect, a community education program focused on the three important steps of “prevention, intervention, treatment” through parent workshops, in-person and online community trainings. The online and in- person programs are geared to strengthen families and prevent substance abuse and are provided at no charge.
