In 2008 middle- and high-schoolers in Porter County reported a higher prevalence of lifetime, annual, monthly, and daily alcohol use than their cohorts did statewide.

They also reported a higher prevalence of lifetime, annual, and monthly marijuana use.

High-schoolers reported a higher prevalence of monthly LSD use, annual amphetamine use, and lifetime narcotics use than their cohorts did statewide; middle-schoolers a higher prevalence of annual tranquilizer use; and intermediate schoolers a higher prevalence of annual psychedelic use.

Those are just a few of the findings of a study conducted by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC) of Indiana University, based on a total of 10,260 surveys completed by sixth- through 12-graders in five of Porter County’s seven school corporations, including Duneland.

The data from the IPRC study, released by Porter-Starke Services Inc. (PSS), are currently being analyzed by Valparaiso University as part of a much more comprehensive study of drug use and risk factors in Porter County being conducted by PSS. The results of that study are slated for release later this year and will incorporate, among other things, data from the Porter County Coroner’s Office and local law enforcement agencies, PSS Program Director Elliott Miller told the Chesterton Tribune on Tuesday.

For Miller the IPRC study by itself raises a number of unsettling issues, however, among them the fact that in four different categories of substance--alcohol, marijuana, Ritalin/Adderall (prescription medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and MDMA (otherwise known as Ecstasy)--Porter County students reported a higher prevalence of monthly use than their cohorts did statewide. For all practical purposes, Miller said, monthly use is the same as “regular use,” as opposed to once-in-a-lifetime or only very occasional experimentation.

Just as disturbing, Miller said, 47 percent of 12th graders reported driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; a surprising number of students reported not knowing their parents’ views on the acceptability of drug use; and too many students--significantly more than their cohorts statewide--reported their belief that the risks associated with drug use are lower than they actually are.

Taken in combination, Miller said, these cavalier attitudes about drug use may in fact account for the greater prevalence of it among Porter County students. In any case, they do tend to indicate that the anti-drug message has yet to achieve full traction here.

Among 12th-graders the most popular substance was alcohol, with 45.3 percent reporting its monthly use (38.4 percent statewide).

Followed by:

*Marijuana, 22.0 percent (16.2 percent statewide);

*Tranquilizers, 5.7 percent (4.0 percent statewide).

*Over-the-counter drugs, 5.4 percent (4.3 percent statewide).

*Ritalin/Adderall, 4.6 percent (3.3 percent statewide).

*Narcotics, 4.0 percent (4.0 percent statewide).

*Ecstasy, 3.3 percent (1.6 percent statewide).

*Amphetamines, 3.1 percent (2.6 percent statewide).

*Cocaine, 2.4 percent (2.0 percent statewide).

*Inhalants, 2.2 percent (1.6 percent statewide).

Psychedelics, 1.7 percent (1.8 percent statewide).

*LSD, 1.3 percent (1.3 percent statewide).

*Heroin, 0.8 percent (0.8 percent statewide).

Twenty-seven percent of 12th-graders also reported using cigarettes on a monthly basis and 22.2 percent reported using cigars.

*24.9 percent report never having used alcohol.

*Marijuana, 54.9 percent.

*Over-the-counter drugs, 82.3 percent.

*Ritalin/Adderall, 82.3 percent.

*Narcotics, 83.4 percent.

*Ecstasy, 86.0 percent.

*Amphetamines, 86.0 percent.

*Cocaine, 88.4 percent.

*Inhalants, 87.6 percent.

*LSD, 90.1 percent.

*Psychedelics, 92.5 percent.

*Heroin, 94.8 percent.

Meanwhile, 45.9 percent report never having used cigarettes and 54.2 percent report never having used cigars.

*Frequency of binge drinking among 12th-graders: 11.1 percent reported that behavior once in the past two weeks; 8.0 percent, twice in the past two weeks; and 8.6 percent, three to five times in the past two weeks.

*Main sources of alcohol: 11.8 had someone else buy it; 11.6 percent received it from a person 21 or older; 10.1 percent in “other ways”; 4.4 percent from family members.

*Most important reasons for drinking among 12th graders: 24.9 percent “to have a good time with friends”; 16.4 percent “because it tastes good”; 7.8 percent “because of boredom”; 4.9 percent “to experiment”; 3.3 percent “to get away from my problems”; 2.9 percent “because of anger.”

*Driven under the influence: 47.4 percent.

*Used alcohol or drugs to fit in: 27.0 percent.

*Used alcohol or drugs alone: 24.0 percent.

*Forgot things you did while high: 27.1 percent.

*Has been told to cut down: 3.8 percent.

*Got into trouble: 14.3 percent.

*Smoking marijuana regularly: 56.2 percent perceive no/slight/moderate risk.

*Using cocaine occasionally: 31.3 percent perceive no/slight/moderate risk.

*Using cocaine regularly: 8.5 percent perceive no/slight/moderate risk.

*Binge drinking weekly: 62.1 percent perceive no/slight/moderate risk.

Posted 3/27/2009