2012 Student Drug Use Survey Regional Data Release on Non-medical Use of Prescription Drugs and Over-the-counter Medications Mary Haag, RN OCPS I, ICPS 1

Survey Methodology Pride Surveys questionnaire Administered every two years - 7 th cycle since ,241 seventh through twelfth grade students from 119 schools completed the survey Distribution by grade/age, by gender, and by race is representative of the region Respondents from private & parochial schools across 7 counties in the tri-state region 2

Prevalence of Use 2012 Student Drug Use SurveyUsed at least once in the past 30 days Prescription Drugs6.5% Over-the-Counter Medications4.9% 3 Males are slightly more likely than females to use Rx & OTC drugs. African American and Hispanic youth are 2x more likely than White youth to use Rx & OTC drugs.

Use by Grade 4

Age of First Use 2012 Student Drug Use SurveyAverage Age Students Report First Using Prescription Drugs12.9 yrs. Over the Counter Medications12.4 yrs. 5 Students are beginning to use prescription and over the counter drugs earlier than alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana. African American students report the earliest age of onset for using Rx and OTC drugs.

Students’ Perception of Risk 2012 Student Drug Use SurveyHarmful/Very Harmful Prescription Drugs82.1% Over the Counter Medications85.0% 6 Males perceive Rx & OTC drugs as less harmful to health, compared to females. African American & Hispanic students perceive Rx & OTC drugs as less harmful to health, compared to White students.

Perceived Risk by Grade 7

Perception of Parent Disapproval Student Drug Use SurveyWrong/Very Wrong Prescription Drugs86.9% Over the Counter Medications90.8% Males perceive their parents would disapprove of their use of Rx & OTC drugs less than female perception. African American & Hispanic students perceived their parents would disapprove of their use of Rx & OTC drugs less than White students.

Ease of Availability 2012 Student Drug Use SurveyEasy/very easy Prescription Drugs26.5 Over-the-Counter Medications Female students report OTC medications are easier to obtain. White and Hispanic students respond that OTC medications are easier to obtain than African American students. Hispanic students also report Rx drugs are easier to obtain.

Who 10

Where 11

When 12

National Comparison of 12 th gr. Core Measure : past 30-day Use Student Drug Use Survey (regional) Pride (national) Monitoring the Future (national) Prescription Drugs 7.9% 7.2% 13

Areas of Concern Overall Concerns: Youth are starting to abuse Rx & OTC meds earlier than alcohol tobacco, and marijuana Non-medical use of prescription drugs is the next most frequently abused drugs after alcohol tobacco, and marijuana Why is it Happening? Community Norms Access & Availability Messaging & Promotion Policies & Enforcement 14