Posted by rbutler on Jun 16, 2009 - 12:06 PM
Two recently released reports (one pertaining to high school and the other to middle school) from the MetroWest Community Healthcare Foundation’s MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, indicate risky behavior among area teens is decreasing for SOME activities (see excerpts below).
SELECTED EXCERPTS FROM REPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL --- OVERALL TRENDS FROM 2006 TO 2008
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There are positive trends in alcohol use, including small but consistent decreases in current alcohol use (from 42% to 39%), “binge” drinking (from 25% to 23%), and the proportion of students who had their first drink before age 13 (from 16% to 14%). There has also been a small decrease in driving after drinking (from 17% to 15%) among youth drivers.
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While downward trends in alcohol use are promising, there are indications that marijuana use may be increasing. Although lifetime marijuana use remained steady from 2006 to 2008 at 33%, current marijuana use increased from 20% to 23%, with a somewhat greater increase among males than females.
MIDDLE SCHOOL --- OVERALL TRENDS FROM 2006 TO 2008
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Use of all substances–alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, inhalants, steroids, and prescription drugs–has remained steady in the region since 2006.
Greater Framingham Community ChurchRev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd,
Pastor
