The Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force Northport-East Northport Union Free School District 2008

The Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force was created to oversee an ongoing process that provides needed information to school officials, parents, and students about the prevalence and patterns of tobacco, alcohol and other drug use by students in our community.

2007 DRUG AND ALCOHOL SURVEY 3,183 students and 2,557 parents of children were surveyed in Grades 6-12 using a custom questionnaire designed by Pride Surveys to compile data regarding drug and alcohol use by our student population

2007 DRUG AND ALCOHOL SURVEY SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS On average students who report the use of alcohol begin in middle school at 13.6 years of age, and students who report the use of marijuana begin at 14.1 years of age

Prevalence of Use Number of Students Who Claim Within the Past Year to Have Used … Grade Level Sample Size Cigarettes Any Alcohol Illicit Drugs 6 th th th th th th th

Parent Perception While student substance use has increased dramatically each year from grades 6-12, parent perception of their use has only increased slightly While student substance use has increased dramatically each year from grades 6-12, parent perception of their use has only increased slightly

Prevalence of Cigarette Use

Prevalence of Beer Use

Prevalence of Liquor Use

Prevalence of Marijuana Use

The study showed a clear disconnect between what parents’ perceive their children are using and what the students report they are using The study showed a clear disconnect between what parents’ perceive their children are using and what the students report they are using

Grade Level Sample Size LiquorMarijuanaCocaine Prescription Drugs From the Home 6-8 th th Availability Number of Students Who Perceive Drugs Are Readily Available …

When Students Use Alcohol or Drugs Most of the students reported that they use alcohol on weekends or weeknights Most of the students reported that they use alcohol on weekends or weeknights Most of the students reported that they use illicit drugs on weekends, weeknights and after school Most of the students reported that they use illicit drugs on weekends, weeknights and after school Very few students report using alcohol or drugs before or during school Very few students report using alcohol or drugs before or during school

Where Students Use Alcohol or Drugs Most of the students report that the top three places that they use substances are : Most of the students report that the top three places that they use substances are :  A Friend's house  At Home  Other Places

2007 DRUG AND ALCOHOL SURVEY SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS 45 (2.7%) of 1654 high school students have frequently been in a car with a teenage driver who had used alcohol or drugs, and an additional 199 (12%) have sometimes been in a car with a teenage driver who had used alcohol or drugs 1 in 4 seniors report being in a vehicle with someone who had been using alcohol or drugs 70 (23%) senior parents claim they don’t know if their child has been in a car with a teenage driver who had used alcohol or drugs

Drug and Alcohol Related Laws Social Host Law Social Host Law The law states: If a home owner knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their premises, or fails to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their premises, that home owner will be held accountable by law The law states: If a home owner knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their premises, or fails to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol by any minor on their premises, that home owner will be held accountable by law

PENALTIES First Offense- violation with a $250 fine First Offense- violation with a $250 fine Second Offense- violation with a $500 fine Second Offense- violation with a $500 fine Third and subsequent offenses- misdemeanor and a $1000 fine, and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 1 year Third and subsequent offenses- misdemeanor and a $1000 fine, and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 1 year Civil liability for the host Civil liability for the host

Some Alcohol Related Laws Impacting Your Child DWI (.08 Blood Alcohol Content) - 1st offense up to 1 year in prison, $500-$1,000 fine, minimum 6 month revocation of license DWI (.08 Blood Alcohol Content) - 1st offense up to 1 year in prison, $500-$1,000 fine, minimum 6 month revocation of license 2 nd offense in 10 years- up to 4 years in prison, $1,000-$5,000 fine, minimum 1 year license revocation 2 nd offense in 10 years- up to 4 years in prison, $1,000-$5,000 fine, minimum 1 year license revocation

Our children are at risk. As a community, what can we do now?

Prevention Strategies Talk early and often with your child Talk early and often with your child Reinforce your values and expectations about alcohol and other drugs and model those expectations for your child Reinforce your values and expectations about alcohol and other drugs and model those expectations for your child Be engaged in your child’s life Be engaged in your child’s life Be sensitive to your child’s stress and help them cope with these issues Be sensitive to your child’s stress and help them cope with these issues Keep your child involved in positive activities Keep your child involved in positive activities

Limit the amount of money your child has and monitor what your child spends it on Limit the amount of money your child has and monitor what your child spends it on Know your child’s friends Know your child’s friends Trust but verify Trust but verify

Set Clear Rules about Alcohol and Drug Use Be specific Be specific Be consistent Be consistent Be reasonable Be reasonable Recognize good behavior Recognize good behavior Review periodically Review periodically