1 Trends In Adolescent Risk Taking Behaviors Shannon Bailey Dakota County Public Health Adolescent Health Coordinator Phone:

2 Adolescent Morbidity and Mortality

3 Adolescent Health Compromising Factors An immature brain A thrill seeking brain Hormones Lack of life experiences

2010 Dakota County MN Student Survey Surveys 6 th, 9 th and 12 th grade MN students in public schools every three years Survey data is analyzed by the MN Dept. of Education and sent to the school superintendents Significance: 3% change 4

5 Substance Abuse 56% of males and 58% of females reported student use of alcohol or drugs is a problem at their school 69% of 9 th graders reported no use of alcohol or drugs in the past year, a 5% increase from 2007 Among 9 th graders only 14% of males and 9% of females reported using tobacco in the past 30 days; however among 12 th graders 44% of males and 22% of females reported using tobacco

6 Marijuana Use 9 th Grade12 th Grade 10% Males30% Males 8% Females 17% Females 9 th grade use was unchanged from th grade male use increased by 6% 12 th grade female use was unchanged from 2007

7 Health Mental Feel stress or pressure quite a bit or almost more than they can take 9 th Grade12 th Grade 24% Males37% Males 38% Females 51% Females

8 Health Mental Feel so discouraged or hopeless that you wondered if anything was worthwhile 9 th Grade12 th Grade11% Males 16% Females 11% Females

Suicide (Thoughts & Attempts) Thoughts of suicide 9 th Graders 19% Males30% Females Suicide attempts 9 th Graders 5% Males8% Females 9

Self Injury 6 th Graders 23% Males10% Females 9 th Graders 12% Males25% Females 12 th Graders 12% Males23% Females 10

11 Seat Belt Usage Wearing seat belts while riding in a car increased in all grades for all students This behavior prevents the leading cause of adolescent fatalities Always wear a seat belt while riding in a car 9 th Grade12 th Grade 69% Males70% Males 73% Females 79% Females

Sexual Activity Ever had sexual intercourse 9 th Grade12 th Grade 20% Males55% Males 15% Females 49% Females 12

Sexual Activity Always use a condom 9 th Grade12 th Grade 59% Males51% Males 51% Females 48% Females 13

Dakota County Births to Minors 74 births to minors, 4% increase from 2008 Youngest - 15-years-old (4) 32% of the fathers were 17-years-old or younger A sexually active teen who doesn’t use contraception has a 90% chance of getting pregnant within one year 14

Dakota County STDs 990 cases of STDs were reported among Dakota County residents in 2009 Chlamydia – 883 cases, 146% increase from , 67% among year- olds Gonorrhea – 91 cases, 67% increase among year-olds 15

16 Violence in School Bullying experiences peak in 6 th grade Among 6 th graders, 57% of males and 38% of females report they had been pushed, shoved, or grabbed at school Gang activity is a problem in their school 20% Males15% Females (9 th graders)

Video Games, Texting, On-line Played video games 6 hours+/week 43% Males5% Females Texting/Phone 6 hours+/week 38% Males59% Females On-line 6 hours+/week 22% Males36% Females 17 9 th Graders

18 What Does This All Mean? More Dakota County youth are engaging in pro-social behaviors Risk taking significantly increases between 9 th and 12 th graders Decreases in percentages of use does not necessarily mean the level of use is acceptab le

19 Connectedness The super protector!

Parents Can talk to dad about problems Male 71%Female 60% Can talk to mom about problems Male 80%Female 90% Parents talked to me about alcohol and drugs Male 50%Female 56% 20

21 Parents: You’re Not Alone! Get to know other parents Connect with your school prevention coordinators, nurse, guidance counselors Talk with your family physician

22 Your Influence Matters! Everyone makes decisions, not always good ones. No mater your age. Provide all of the information they need to make good decisions. Be there to help them work through the pros and cons of their decisions. Give them safe and positive ways to practice and experience decision making.

23 Dakota County Curfew Under 12 Sunday – Thursday 9:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Age years Sunday – Thursday 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Age years Sunday – Thursday 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday Midnight - 5:00 a.m.

24 Have you clearly stated your expectations? Or have you implied them? If you want to know for sure, ask them.

25 Dakota County Crisis Response Unit Phone: /7 Available to come to schools or to homes Available for consultation & intervention

26 Data Source: Minnesota Student Survey Search: MN Student Survey