The Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force

Northport-East Northport Union Free School District

2008

The Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force was created to oversee an ongoing process that provides

needed information to school officials, parents, and students about

the prevalence and patterns of tobacco, alcohol and other drug use

by students in our community.

2007 DRUG AND ALCOHOL SURVEY

3,183 students and 2,557 parents of children

were surveyed in Grades 6-12 using a custom questionnaire designed

by Pride Surveys to compile data regarding drug and alcohol use

by our student population

2007 DRUG AND ALCOHOL SURVEYSIGNIFICANT FINDINGS

On average students who report the use of alcohol begin in middle school at 13.6 years of age,

and students who report the use of marijuana begin at 14.1 years of age

Prevalence of UseNumber of Students Who Claim

Within the Past Year to Have Used …

Grade Level

Sample Size

CigarettesAny

AlcoholIllicit

Drugs

6th 517 1 13 4

7th 474 0 11 3

8th 492 11 51 10

9th 440 19 91 18

10th 406 54 201 68

11th 433 75 273 111

12th 388 106 285 144

Parent Perception

While student substance use has increased While student substance use has increased dramatically each year from grades 6-12, dramatically each year from grades 6-12, parent perception of their use has only parent perception of their use has only increased slightly increased slightly

Prevalence of Cigarette Use

Prevalence of Beer Use

Prevalence of Liquor Use

Prevalence of Marijuana Use

The study showed a clear disconnect between what The study showed a clear disconnect between what

parents’ perceive their children are using and what parents’ perceive their children are using and what the students report they are using the students report they are using

Grade Level

Sample Size

Liquor Marijuana CocainePrescription

DrugsFrom the

Home

6-8th 1324 180 83 49 187 151

9-12th 1494 697 596 190 342 274

Availability

Number of Students Who Perceive Drugs Are Readily Available …

When Students Use Alcohol or Drugs

Most of the students reported that they use alcohol Most of the students reported that they use alcohol on weekends or weeknights on weekends or weeknights

Most of the students reported that they use illicit Most of the students reported that they use illicit drugs on weekends, weeknights and after schooldrugs on weekends, weeknights and after school

Very few students report using alcohol or drugs Very few students report using alcohol or drugs before or during school before or during school

Where Students Use Alcohol or Drugs

Most of the students report that the top three Most of the students report that the top three places that they use substances are :places that they use substances are : A Friend's house A Friend's house At HomeAt Home Other Places Other Places

2007 DRUG AND ALCOHOL SURVEYSIGNIFICANT FINDINGS

45 (2.7%) of 1654 high school students have frequently been in a car with a teenage driver who had used alcohol or drugs, and an additional 199 (12%) have sometimes been in a car with a teenage driver who had used alcohol or drugs

1 in 4 seniors report being in a vehicle with someone who had been using alcohol or drugs

70 (23%) senior parents claim they don’t know if their child has been in a car with a teenage driver who had used alcohol or drugs

Drug and Alcohol Related Laws

Social Host Law Social Host Law

The law states:The law states: If a home owner knowingly allows If a home owner knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their premises, or fails to take reasonable corrective action premises, or fails to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol by any upon learning of the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their premises, that home owner will be held minor on their premises, that home owner will be held accountable by lawaccountable by law

PENALTIES

First Offense- violation with a $250 fine First Offense- violation with a $250 fine Second Offense- violation with a $500 fineSecond Offense- violation with a $500 fine Third and subsequent offenses- misdemeanor and a Third and subsequent offenses- misdemeanor and a

$1000 fine, and a term of imprisonment not to exceed $1000 fine, and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 1 year 1 year

Civil liability for the hostCivil liability for the host

Some Alcohol Related Laws Impacting Your Child

DWI (.08 Blood Alcohol Content) DWI (.08 Blood Alcohol Content) - - 1st 1st offense up to 1 year in prison, $500-$1,000 offense up to 1 year in prison, $500-$1,000 fine, minimum 6 month revocation of licensefine, minimum 6 month revocation of license

22ndnd offense in 10 years- up to 4 years in offense in 10 years- up to 4 years in prison, $1,000-$5,000 fine, minimum 1 year prison, $1,000-$5,000 fine, minimum 1 year license revocationlicense revocation

Our children are at risk.

As a community, what can we do now?

Prevention Strategies

Talk early and often with your childTalk early and often with your child Reinforce your values and expectations about Reinforce your values and expectations about

alcohol and other drugs and model those alcohol and other drugs and model those expectations for your childexpectations for your child

Be engaged in your child’s lifeBe engaged in your child’s life Be sensitive to your child’s stress and help Be sensitive to your child’s stress and help

them cope with these issues them cope with these issues Keep your child involved in positive activitiesKeep your child involved in positive activities

Limit the amount of money your child has and Limit the amount of money your child has and monitor what your child spends it onmonitor what your child spends it on

Know your child’s friends Know your child’s friends Trust but verify Trust but verify

Set Clear Rules about Alcohol and Drug Use

Be specificBe specific Be consistentBe consistent Be reasonableBe reasonable Recognize good behaviorRecognize good behavior Review periodically Review periodically