Survey: 1 in 4 seniors admit using alcohol

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 9:59 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

LEBANON — Approximately one in four Lebanon High School seniors have consumed alcohol within a 30-day period, according to a recent drug and alcohol use survey.

Findings from the Pride Survey, sponsored by the Coalition for a Drug-Free Cincinnati were shared with parents and students Thursday, Nov. 5, by community leaders at an open discussion forum at the Lebanon Junior High School. A total of 1,760 Lebanon students in seventh through 12th grades participated in the survey in January 2008.

“Drugs and alcohol are out there,” said Lebanon High School Principal Sam Ison. “It’s important to acknowledge it is an issue and we have to raise awareness in order to help reduce the numbers.”

Survey findings show approximately 25 percent of seniors admitted to drinking within 30 days of taking the survey. Marijuana was the most popular drug for high school students, with 7.6 percent of ninth-graders, approximately 13 percent of 10th- and 11th-graders and 16.5 percent of 12th-graders saying they used the drug.

Mike Sheehy, a local parent on the discussion panel, said drug and alcohol prevention start with the parents.

“We have to take the lead and hold ourselves accountable,” Sheehy told the crowd of at least 50 parents and students. “We can’t expect teachers, police and pastors to be the only ones responsible. We have to learn the effects of substance abuse and talk with our children about it.”

Warren County Assistant Prosecutor Bruce McGarry said there were about 2,800 juvenile cases prosecuted last year. Of those cases, he said many of them were tied to drug use.

“Our numbers of young people using drugs is lower than the national average,” McGarry said. “But, this is still a problem in Lebanon. We can’t change the number of cases already brought to court, but we can work with students to prevent them from happening in the first place.”

McGarry said that success rates for young people with drug rehabilitation is typically higher than adults, which can lead to fewer repeat offenders in the future.

The survey did show that overall drug and alcohol use was down about 33 percent since 2006, but officials said that is enough.

“Any number is a high number,” Ison said. “We are continuing to be proactive in our approach with our students to bring that number down.”

Panelists said talking to children openly about the hazards of drug and alcohol use can be the most powerful prevention tool. Keeping students active in school, community and church activities is another way to help students resist the temptation of drugs and alcohol, according to Ison.

Julie Crago, a mother with three students in Lebanon schools, said she was surprised by the number of students who admitted drinking alcohol at a friend’s house.

“It says up to 43 percent of kids are doing this,” Crago said. “Now that I’m more aware of it, and will keep a closer eye on what happens at friends’ homes.”

Kathy Hilyard, who has two sons in the district, said she was concerned with how young many students are when they first try drugs or alcohol. The survey said 11 percent of the students were in seventh grade when they started drinking alcohol.

“I have a fifth-grader and I’m worried that maybe we’re not doing enough in the earlier grades,” Hilyard said. “They need to learn early on how dangerous this is and what it can do to them. I hope the schools will start talking about it more when they are younger. I think that would help bring the numbers down.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.

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Not that I don't think this is something that EVERY parent should be concerned with but...my children have both told me that they complete that survey with bogus information because they don't feel it is anonymous. Having said that...as a parent, I MAKE my children have lengthy, conversations with me when they come home at night in a bright room. They know what I am doing and they just LOVE that.

HMMM
4:25 PM, 11/6/2009

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That's even lower than when I was in high school, ten years ago. It was about half then.

Joshua
5:39 AM, 11/6/2009

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Guess the good news is that is lower tham when I was in HS, late 60's

maverick
10:31 PM, 11/5/2009

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