Facts You Should Know!

A recent survey shows that local prevention efforts, including Know! are producing positive results. Yet young people throughout Ohio are exposed to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs at an alarming age.

Nearly 23% of 8th grade students report smoking cigarettes, 30% drank beer and 13% smoke marijuana in the past year. (Ohio PRIDE Survey, Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. 2002).

Significant Use by Central Ohio 8th Graders

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug usage is relatively low among 6th and 7th graders. But, by the time they reach 8th grade, a significant number begin using these substances. Among middle school children surveyed in the 2006 Primary Prevention Awareness, Attitude and Use Survey (PPAAUS) conducted by The Safe and Drug-Free Schools Consortium:
  • The average age of first use of alcohol and tobacco was 11
  • 1% of sixth graders, 5% of seventh and eighth graders drank regularly (at least once a month)
  • 2% report smoking tobacco at least once a month.0.4% of sixth graders, 1% of seventh and eighth graders reported smoking cigarettes daily
  • The average age of first use of marijuana was 12.0.6% of sixth graders, 4% of seventh and eighth graders smoked marijuana once a month or more.
For more information on the PPAAUS survey, visit Educational Council.

Use Places Children at Risk

Consider the following facts from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information about why use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs places children at risk for problems later:
  • The younger someone starts to use alcohol, tobacco and drugs, the more likely he or she is to become addicted and develop problems associated with such use.
  • Young people who use alcohol and drugs also are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence, engage in unplanned and unprotected sex, experience school failure, and be seriously injured from driving or engaging in other risky behavior while impaired.
  • Young people who use tobacco are more likely than others to drink heavily later or use illegal drugs. If we can successfully keep our young people from smoking, we may help prevent other drug use.
The statistics are so startling that it's tempting to think, "my child would never do anything so risky at that age." But that belief is risky in itself.  Studies show that many more teens report being offered these substances and using them than their parents are willing to believe.

When polled, the number of parents who thought their children had tried marijuana, for example about 20% represented only one-half the number of teens who said they had actually tried it (2004 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. Partnership for a Drug-Free America).