The survey is the 19th annual "Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use by Children and Adolescents." The results show the yearly trends in drug abuse by sixth to 12th graders in 557 schools across the state. The survey collected responses from adolescents about 22 different drugs and methods of drug use, including tobacco, crack cocaine, inhalants and prescription medications.
The survey included additional questions this year on the use of drugs that are administered with syringes. Because they are placed directly into the bloodstream, drugs that are injected present a substantially higher risk of overdose than those that are ingested. In addition, syringes are vehicles for the spread of communicable diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
Mi Kyung Jun, a research associate who worked on the survey, commented on the evolution of the survey over the years: "When we started we also surveyed fifth graders, but as time grew on their drug use fell significantly ... Also, we've had to add more drugs to the list. We are constantly changing the survey to match trends."
Jun also commented on the rise in marijuana use detected by this year's survey results: "We do not ask why ... We just monitor the use. We can say that this is very odd. They may think it is a less harmful alternative to other drugs."
(Source: www.idsnews.com)
Posted By: Aspen Education Group