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Local News
Survey charts students' substance use By Rochelle Moore | Daily Times Staff Writer Wilson teens say that the most popular place to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use drugs is at a friend's house or their own home. The use of the same substances is the lowest at school but is still significant in vehicles. The usage of tobacco, alcohol and drugs by some Wilson youth was measured in a recent survey, conducted by the Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition. The survey included participation from 2,127 11-year-olds, 13-year-olds and 15-year-olds attending public school. "This is not about pointing fingers or placing blame," said Erin Day, director of the coalition. "This is about having a clear understanding of the reality of drug use in our community and developing a plan that will make Wilson an even better place to live, work and play." Day presented the Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition with the results of the PRIDE survey Tuesday during its annual meeting. The coalition includes voluntary membership from adults in the community, including public officials, nonprofit directors, police, business professionals, teachers and others involved in social services. The coalition formed a year ago in an effort address substance abuse problems in Wilson youth. Some members of the Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition said they were concerned that students will light up a cigarette after school as they are driving off school grounds. They were also concerned that the youth reported drinking alcohol and using drugs at some level on school grounds. "I have some serious concerns about use at school," said the Rev. Alonzo Braggs, vice chairman of the coalition. "How are they using it at school? Where are they using it? It's no new news to me, I'm just concerned about it." "We are not necessarily about programs that teach a sixth grader not to use," said Phil Mooring, the director of Wilson Families in Action and member of the coalition. "We're looking at changing the environment." Some of the results of the survey showed that 15-year-olds have used each of the substances more often than the 13- and 11-year olds. All of the students report that they view tobacco use as the most risky behavior of the three, with alcohol and marijuana use almost equal as the second most risky behavior in the minds of 11-year-olds and 13-year-olds. Fifteen-year-old students, however, think that marijuana use is the least risky behavior. The 11- and 13-year-olds also viewed their parents and peers as disapproving the use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana more than the 15-year-olds did. Only 35 percent of the 15-year-olds surveyed said they thought that their peers disapproved of alcohol use. The 15-year-olds also think that close to half of their peers disapprove of tobacco and marijuana use. "What they're saying is two-thirds of my friends would not disapprove of alcohol," Mooring said. "That's the one that jumps off the page." The coalition plans to take the information from the survey and develop strategies to change the environment that is impacting youth and their use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Coalition members discussed the possibility of presenting the survey results before the county commissioners, city council and small town boards, as well as other places where youth and their parents could be impacted. Educating parents may be one of the keys to reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco or drug use in Wilson youth, Mooring said. The coalition plans to conduct a parent survey this year and is working to develop a "Safe Home" program where parents sign a commitment form to provide safe environments at home that are drug-, tobacco- and alcohol-free. The coalition is also planning six community forums in the fall that will help the group connect to parents and other concerned adults about drug and alcohol use in the community. For more information, the coalition can be reached at 265-5978 or at www.wcsac.org. rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818
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