Pictured is a graphic detailing the results of the 2018 Youth Risk Survey, conducted by the Council for Union County Families in conjunction with other health organizations. It highlights many downward trends in activities and at-risk behaviors youths in Union County engage in. It should be noted the arrow for marijuana use should be a downward arrow rather than upward.
(Photo submitted)
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Fewer Union County youths are abusing cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications and heroin this year.
The 2018 Youth Risk Survey, a study conducted by the Council for Union County Families, shows cigarette use among youths is down 8 percent since 2016, alcohol use is down 17 percent since 2016, marijuana use is down 12 percent since 2014, and prescription drug abuse has remained low since 2016. Also, heroin use among youths has remained less than one percent.
The study surveyed 1,650 students in the seventh, ninth, and 11th grade who attend Marysville, Fairbanks and North Union Schools.
On Thursday night, Marysville School District’s board of education’s members were pleased to hear the downward trends of some of the dangerous risk factors for children. Holly Zweizig, of the Union County Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB), presented the results to the board.
“A lot of the trends are going down, and that’s awesome, even in marijuana use,” board member Amy Powers said. “I’m really thrilled seeing this because the trends are changing. I’m excited about that.”
However, board members were surprised to hear some rising trends taking the spotlight: sexual health and “the vaping.”
According to the study, 11 percent of students surveyed reported they vaped in the last 30 days. The study also says this a 46-percent increase in usage compared to 2016.
“We really need to keep on the pressure on the vaping,” board member Amy Power said. “This is something I don’t even think parents are educated enough to know this is probably even worse than cigarette smoking… I don’t even think these kids think about that when they go into these flavors.”
Zweizig said the MHRB and other organizations are taking steps to make sure vaping is addressed to the public. She also said despite the low trends, heroin and meth use are being constantly monitored.
She said depression and suicide are also being tracked and treated as soon as possible. The study shows nearly 24 percent of those surveyed reported they are at a high risk of experiencing depression, and nearly 66 percent of students surveyed are at a low risk.
“We’re really making sure we’re reducing the risk of abusing substances as well as mental health issues for our youth is very critical,” Zweizig said.
The study also states nearly 16 percent of those surveyed reported having sexual intercourse, most of them being in 11th grade. Also, nearly 48 percent of those students who had sexual intercourse reported they hardly or never had “the sex talk” with their parents.
“I guess we as a society should make it a little less taboo because we’re putting young people at risk by not having the discussion,” board member Nan Savidge said, commenting on how she noticed the number of parents who talk to their children about sex is “very small.”
Zweizig said this is the first year sexting is being addressed on the survey. She said since children have been increasing their access to technology at earlier ages, it’s important to identify “potential dangers to themselves.”
“A significant number of students have indicated they have been requested to send a sext and an additional number indicated they have already done so,” Zweizig said.
The report also shows nearly 30 percent of those surveyed reported being bullied. There were 30 percent of those surveyed who said they were bullied on school property, compared to 20 percent of students nationally, and 19 percent who said they were cyberbullied, compared to 15.5 percent of students nationally.
However, the study showed students are taking these risky behaviors seriously. It shows most of those who were surveyed think abusing substances like alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or prescription drugs will be seen negatively by their friends and family.
The survey results were originally shown at the Union County Health Department Thursday afternoon. Those in attendance ranged from school to health officials, as well as including Union County Commissioner Steve Stolte.
Stolte said he’s glad this survey provides information to various county agencies to see what needs to be done about which problems.
“I think it’s positive, some of the numbers you see there, and other you’ll see as disturbing,” Stolte said. “The good thing I think about doing this survey is it provides background data for various agencies around the table and see how effective their programs are.”
He said there’s some good improvement within the falling trends of marijuana and cigarettes. However, he said the rising trend in e-cigarette and vaping usage was “expected.”
After seeing the results at the health department, Marysville School District Superintendent Diane Mankins said she’s wanting to ramp up education for parents on the threats of e-cigarettes and vaping.
“We want to get things out there in front of them so they know it’s happening,” Mankins said. “It might not be there kid, or it could be a relative or someone they know. We always take a stance that we’re in this together with drugs, alcohol and risky behaviors. If we don’t work with parents, we’ll leave an essential group out, so we’re always engaging with them.”
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is conducted every two years. It began in 2009 and continued in 2012.