Student Survey Results February 2019

HC-HK Coalition The mission of the Healthy Communities- Healthy Kids Coalition is to engage every sector of the community in an effort to change policy, educate, and implement strategies to prevent and reduce substance abuse, other risky behavior, and to promote the wellness of the community. HC-HK Coalition? This coalition brings multiple facets of the HK community (organizations, parents, young people and emerging adults) around a common table to implement proven strategies that supports families, enhance collaborations among organizations, and provide on-going learning opportunities for families and young people.  We use the Strategic Prevention Framework, a common Public Health model used in the field of prevention, to mobilize the community to guide all decision making which is informed by data and the use of environmental strategies. The Coalition offers programming at the community and school levels, family engagement opportunities, parent and community level information sessions, community and organization professional development, and consistent data collection.  

Survey objectives Able to get a description of the nature and extent of substance abuse, other risky behaviors, and current social norms among Haddam-Killingworth students in grades 7 to 12 in the year 2018. Monitor trends in substance abuse, other risky behaviors, and protective factors over time through use of data beginning in 2006. Use the information to assist in future planning of services and activities for young people in Haddam-Killingworth in the area of prevention. Gathering this critical survey data is only possible with the support of the Haddam-Killingworth Public Schools. A big thanks to all the administrators and teachers who made this happen.

Demographics 2018, n=766 2018: 766 total surveys included in analysis 2016: 657 2014: 841 2012: 870 2010: 913 2008: 914 2006: 838 In 2018, 15% of surveys were eliminated to due to one or more of the following: -missing data (40 or more missing items) -long patterns of responses that look suspicious (not thoughtful responses) 2018, n=766

Many Haddam Killingworth Youth are making healthy choices Reducing Risks Many Haddam Killingworth Youth are making healthy choices

Recent use rates among Haddam-Killingworth 7th to 12th graders. Recent substance use rates among 7th to 12th graders. 2006, n=838; 2010, n=913; 2014, n=841; 2018, n=766

Alcohol & marijuana 30-day use rates by grade. USE THIS OR SLIDE 7 7th, n=168; 8th, n=151; 9th, n=141; 10th, n=116; 11th, n=90; 12th, n=93

Recent use rates among MS and HS students in 2018. MS, n=321; HS, n=445

Binge drinking rates have decreased 54% since 2006. In addition to past 30-day use rates, the coalition pays close attention to reported binge drinking rates, which is defined on the Survey as “having 5 or more drinks in a row.” Binge drinking is a dangerous and high-risk behavior that impairs judgment and opens the door for serious consequences such as sexual assault or alcohol poisoning. **36% of seniors reported binge drinking in the past 30-days

National, state and local 30 day substance use rates among high school students. National and state level data in 2017 from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), conducted by the Center for Disease Control and State health agencies The YRBS is the largest public health surveillance system in the United States monitoring a broad range of health-risk behaviors among high school students. YRBS data is currently available from a 2017 survey of high school students across all 50 states and the District of Columbia with a student sample size of 14,765 nationally and a sample size of 2,425 in Connecticut. HK, n=445; CT, n=2425; US, n=14,765

Perceived risk of harm is lowest around marijuana use. How much do you think people risk harming themselves if they: Drink 5+ alcoholic beverages once or twice a week Use marijuana 1 to 2 times a week Use prescription drugs not prescribed to them Smoke cigarettes, 1 or more packs a day Perceived harm associated with substance use is inversely correlated with use of that substance. Graph illustrates the percent of students who responded ‘Moderate’ or ‘Great’ risk. When looking at data by grade level rates around marijuana use are most varied – 89% of 7th graders believe marijuana use to be harmful, compared to 42% of 12th graders.   2010, n=913; 2014, n=841; 2018, n=766

Many risky behaviors are decreasing among Haddam-Killingworth youth. Risk-Taking Behaviors Related to Substance Use Since 2006, reported rates by Haddam Killingworth youth have decreased in all nine risk taking behaviors related to substance use – this includes binge drinking, use of smokeless tobacco, inhalants, heroin, narcotics and driving while drinking. From 2016 to 2018 there was a higher rate of middle school students who reported use of alcohol, smokeless tobacco, inhalants, marijuana and other drugs. In addition, there has been an increase in middle school students who reported riding in a car with a driver who had been drinking. Other Risk-Taking Behaviors Since 2006, decreases are reported in rates of sexual intercourse, anti-social behaviors (shoplifting, vandalism, and police trouble), violence (all indicators that make up this category excluding ‘carried a weapon for protection’), school truancy, and gambling. 2006, n=838; 2018, n=766

Some risky behaviors are increasing among Haddam-Killingworth youth. Increases are found in reported eating disorder rates, feeling sad or depressed, attempted suicide and carrying a weapon. Has attempted suicide one or more times (in lifetime) Felt sad or depressed most or all of the time (in the last month) Has engaged in bulimic or anorexic behavior (in lifetime) Carried a weapon for protection once or more (in the last 12 mos) 2006, n=838; 2018, n=766

Perception of parental disapproval among 7th to 12th graders. When examining student data on perceived parental disapproval of substance use the outcomes are positive; the majority of youth report high perceptions of disapproval.  A young person’s perception of their parent’s disapproval is correlated to a young person’s choice to use substances. If teens perceive their parents believe it is wrong for them to drink or use substances, when faced with the opportunity, they are less likely to do so. The survey asked students to rate how wrong their parents/guardians would feel it to be for them to: drink nearly every day; use marijuana; use prescription drugs not prescribed to you; smoke cigarettes. Graph illustrates the percentage of students who responded ‘Moderately wrong’ or ‘Greatly wrong’. Overall, the percentages for parental disapproval are high. 2010, n=913; 2014, n=841; 2018, n=766

Thriving indicators reported by HK youth. The survey also asks youth to report on the presence of eight thriving indicators in their lives. These eight indicators are seen as important elements of healthy human development and the Coalition should continue to examine local programming that will nurture these behaviors in Haddam-Killingworth’s youth.   Since 2006 there has been an increase in the percent of high school youth reporting thriving indicators in four of the eight illustrated in the chart below – delays gratification, maintains good health, values diversity, and exhibits leadership. There was no change in those reporting that they succeed in school and the remaining three indicators all see a small decrease – resists danger, overcome adversity, and helps others. Lower rates are found among those that report they avoid doing things that are dangerous (18%) and those that report they succeed in school (33%). Higher rates are found among students who report overcoming adversity (69%), exhibiting leadership (72%) and helping others (74%). 2006, n=838; 2018, n=766

Building Assets The Coalition’s goal is to increase the positive support and strengths that assist teens in their success.

What are developmental assets? A framework toward positive youth development – includes skills, experiences, relationships, and behaviors Enables young people to develop into successful and contributing adults What are developmental assets? The Coalition does more than work to simply reduce risk. We also work to build developmental assets. Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed, known as developmental assets. Half of the assets focus on the supports, relationships and opportunities youth need in their families, schools, and communities, which are external assets. The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people, which are the internal assets. On one level, the 40 Developmental Assets represent common wisdom about the kinds of positive supports and strengths young people need. But extensive research reveals that assets can have a powerful influence on youth behavior.

The Power of Developmental Assets to Protect Against Risk-Taking Behaviors High School only included here 2018, n=446

Past 30-day substance use rates decrease as asset levels increase. The more assets one has the less they use/abuse substances High school only included here 2018, n=446

10% of Haddam Killingworth teens report a low level of assets. For optimal outcomes, the more assets youth have the better off they are. Youth with lower assets are more at-risk. Youth with high asset levels are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors (such as violence, sexual activity, drug use and suicide), and more likely to engage in thriving behaviors (such as helping others, doing well in school and taking on leadership roles). While the Search Institutes studies seem to show that the ideal number of assets for adolescent success on the educational, social, and personal development fronts is 31 or more, fewer than 10% of adolescents actually have that many. The average number that teens in most communities have – regardless of such other factors as the community’s socio-economic status or level of education – is 18-20.

Internal Assets Internal assets are those qualities, skills, and attributes a community and family can nurture within youth so they can contribute to their own development. High School only

External Assets External assets are the positive experiences and supports a young person receives from formal and informal connections to adults and peers in the community. High School only

Prevention Never Stops While progress has been made, our work continues.

Areas to consider- Good news! Substance use rates are decreasing Other reported risky behaviors are decreasing Teens report high parent disapproval of all substances 47% of students report strong levels of developmental assets Presence of thriving indicators among HK teens Reported alcohol use (including binge drinking) among high school students remains high Alcohol & marijuana use rates are slightly higher than both state and national rates 1 out of 2 high students perceive use of marijuana as not harmful Need to collect data on vaping (behaviors & attitudes) Some risky behaviors are increasing Students who report low assets and thriving indicators

What jumped out at you? Any surprises? Is there anything you would like to know more about? What should we be sharing with the community? What do you feel is most relevant?

Be A Prevention Partner! “Together, may we give our children the roots to grow and the wings to fly”