Press release for the Primary Prevention Awareness, Attitude and Use Survey

Press Release for the Primary Prevention Awareness, Attitude and Use Survey (PPAAUS) from 2003

PPAAUS 2003 REVEALS DECREASE IN ALL AREAS OF ALCOHOL/DRUG USE

Columbus, OH: Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Franklin County is steadily declining, indicate the data from the 2003 Primary Prevention Awareness, Attitude, and Use Survey (PPAAUS).

More than 79,500 sixth- through twelfth-grade students in public and non-public schools were surveyed through the PPAAUS assessment. The purpose of the assessment - conducted every three years since 1988 by the Safe & Drug-Free Schools Consortium, a program of the Educational Council - is to guide school prevention and intervention programs, and evaluate the general effectiveness of these programs.

The results of the November 2003 survey indicate a comprehensive approach to prevention is working, Joan Klemek, director of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Consortium, said. Findings substantiate the effectiveness of the consistent message sent to youth from the community, schools and parents that using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is not acceptable.

Alcohol: Trends in alcohol use have declined in every grade from 1997 to 2003, bringing it to the lowest levels since the first PPAAUS assessment in 1988, according to the most recent results.
Tobacco: Cigarette use in 2003, which increased in 1994 and 1997, continued a downward trend compared to the 2000 survey.
Drugs: Marijuana use, according to the 2003 survey results, is at or below the levels reported in 1994. Specifically, the survey found that 98% of the sixth-graders, 89% of the seventh- and eighth-graders, 73% of the ninth- and tenth-graders, and 61% of the 11th- and 12th-graders had never smoked marijuana

This decrease is a continuation of the decrease in use reported in the 2000 survey, when marijuana use first showed a decline. There was a large increase in marijuana use from 1991-1994 in all grades, remaining at a stable level until 1997.

A portion of the 2003 survey particularly addresses “messages about drinking.” In general, over 75% of adults (parents, teachers, and coaches) in the lives of youth communicated an “It’s Not OK to Drink” message. Similar patterns were reported for “message” items concerning tobacco and marijuana. Among friends, 54% of middle school students versus only 23% of the high school students said, “It’s Not OK to Drink,” which could indicate that further prevention efforts need to be directed toward these groups.

About PPAAUS
Fact Sheet
Executive Summary
Table of Contents

The report further states that 37% of middle school youth and 19% of high school youth receive either pro-use or mixed messages about drinking from the media. In other words, the media do not promote a clear “no use” message.

Survey outcomes also indicate an increase in daily athletic exercise along with an overall decrease in alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among middle and high school youth. Weekly participation in social and entertainment activities at the high school level decreased, which could be a factor in the continued decline of drug and alcohol use conveyed in the 2003 survey, Klemek said. Higher levels of social activities and “work-for-pay” activities are associated with higher levels of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana usage.

More than 83% of the Franklin County students participated in Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) at least once in school, with 24-37% of students surveyed having participated in either drug-free clubs (such as Youth to Youth or Teen Institute), conflict resolution or peer mediation programs, or drug-free leadership camps or retreats.

The PPAAUS figures support that students who reported their families having “strong family values against the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs” are much less likely to use these substances than those whose families do not have these values. In addition, students whose friends give the message “It’s Not OK to Use” report much lower use of alcohol and marijuana than those students whose friends do not deliver this message.

“The positive news from PPAAUS of overall decline in the areas of alcohol and drug use for Franklin County youth certainly points toward on-going, comprehensive prevention programs, and adults’ and friends’ values and messages of “no use” as important measures in curbing these harmful behaviors,” Klemek says.

For further alcohol/drug use and “messages” data, as well as school climate information, which include information on perpetrators, victims and problem behaviors, please refer to the PPAAUS Executive Summary or the comprehensive Franklin County PPAAUS report on the Educational Council web site at www.edcouncil.org after April 14.

For other information, contact Joan Klemek, Director, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Consortium, 614.292.8711.