For Immediate Release: March 4, 2003 (03-041)

Contacts: Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077

Unhealthy behaviors decline among Washington youth
New survey shows dramatic declines in teen smoking, use of alcohol and marijuana

OLYMPIA ¾ Tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use is headed down among Washington youth, according to a new state survey. State officials say the survey also showed impressive gains in seat belt use by children and a growing sense of students feeling safer in school. The survey reflects results from a broad range of state and community efforts to improve health and safety for young people in Washington.

The Healthy Youth Survey is a collaborative effort by the Department of Health (DOH), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). Each agency works to prevent and intervene in unhealthy behaviors of Washington youth.

The biennial survey was conducted in the fall of 2002. More than 137,000 students in 752 schools in grades six, eight, 10 and 12 took the survey, including nearly 25,000 in the state sample. The results provide valuable information for many schools, districts and counties in their efforts to improve the overall health of children.

Smoking rates among Washington teens plummeted to their lowest level in the past several years. The number of adolescents who smoke declined by about 53 percent among sixth-graders, 39 percent among eighth graders, 40 percent among 10^th graders, and 36 percent among 12^th graders since the late 1990s. The decrease means there are about 53,000 fewer kids smoking in Washington than before the state began its comprehensive anti-tobacco program (adjusted for population growth).

The Department of Health has been using money from a lawsuit settlement against the tobacco industry and a portion of the state tobacco tax to lead an aggressive, comprehensive campaign to stem tobacco use by teens (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2003_News/YouthSurvey/YouthSurveyResults2003.doc).

"The work we are doing to prevent teens from using tobacco is starting to pay off," said Washington State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "We know if we keep kids from smoking, they will probably never start as adults. This survey shows fewer kids are smoking, and because of that, those kids will live longer, healthier lives."

Questions on the survey cover a wide spectrum of issues that directly impact the emotional, physical and intellectual well being of youth. Students were asked about their use of harmful substances, the school environment, and attitudes about family, community and self. Their responses represent the most comprehensive look at teen health attitudes and behaviors gathered by state officials.

The summary of results will be available in June 2003.

The coordinated efforts of local and state agencies to reduce underage drinking appear to be making a tremendous impact. This year’s numbers show the greatest reduction in underage drinking since the Healthy Youth Survey was first given in 1988. This is especially important considering more youth use alcohol and are harmed by it than any other drug. The use of marijuana among eighth and 10^th graders was noticeably lower as well.

Dennis Braddock, secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, credits the cross-agency teamwork and focus on a common, evidence-based prevention strategy for the progress being made in fighting drug and alcohol use.

"This is good news – not just for kids who are in our schools today, but also for the next generation. Youth who protect their health by abstaining from substance abuse are on the road to protecting their own future children," said Braddock. "Overwhelming facts show that most parents who abuse or dangerously neglect their children also abuse drugs or alcohol.

"Working together through community-based prevention strategies, we are breaking this damaging cycle," Braddock added.

Survey results indicate that two important risk factors—the perceived availability of drugs and favorable attitudes toward drug use—have declined significantly.

This is a good sign that tobacco, alcohol and other drug prevention programs are working.

For example, about 39 percent of students in the 10^th grade in 2002 said it would be hard for them to purchase alcohol, compared to about 29 percent of students in the 2000 survey.

"We are very pleased to see the positive change in young peoples' perceptions of these important health issues," said Martha Choe, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. "We are proud to be a part of the interagency survey committee. The data collected are vital and the 2002 survey had the largest participation numbers yet. This would not have happened without the excellent efforts of these partners."

There are many issues that influence the overall health of young people, in addition to drugs and alcohol. In recent years, Washington schools have stepped up efforts to provide safe and healthy learning environments.

An increasing number of students across all grade levels reported feeling safe at school in 2002. A total of 90 percent of sixth graders said they felt safe, up from 77 percent in the 1998 survey.

Students in all four grade-levels were also asked how often they had been bullied in the past 30 days. More than 30 percent of sixth-grade students responded that they had been bullied one or more times. Students in the higher-grade levels also reported being subjected to bullying behavior, although at lower percentages.

"I am pleased to see the number of students feeling safe at school on the rise," said Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction. "But it is disappointing to have so many students say they’ve been subjected to bullying. However, it’s important for us to have this honest feedback so we can understand what is happening in their lives and keep our focus on the goal of making schools a safe and welcoming place. These results will help guide our work to eliminate these barriers to student success."

Selecky, a member of the state Traffic Safety Commission, says the survey has positive news involving seatbelt use by teens. The percentage of 10th and 12th graders using seatbelts regularly

has risen from about 80 percent in 1999 to 90 percent in 2002. National statistics show motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of unintentional death for high school age youth.

Public and private agencies will use the survey results to find ways to improve the health and safety of children across the state.

"As a society, we still have a long way to go to make our children completely healthy and safe," Braddock said. "But this survey shows we have made great progress by working as partners with clear objectives and measurable outcomes. Creating a statewide Substance Abuse Prevention System Plan and involving many partners in community-based strategies has reduced under-age drinking and drug abuse as well as the related social, health and economic impacts on all of us.

"We care deeply about the well-being of our young people," said Bergeson. "We will continue to work collaboratively, joining our resources to make a difference in the lives of our children. It is a responsibility we all take very seriously."

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