Drinking, Drug Use Down Among Some Madison Teens

A Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition survey of more than 1,600 youths in town reports that, overall, drinking is down, tobacco use is down, and marijuana use is down. Also, students are reporting that they are delaying the initiation of drug and alcohol use, according to the survey.

"We're turning the tide," said Lori Lodge, chairman of the board of the coalition, also know as M.A.D.E. in Madison. Still, she said, there are many areas where the town can continue to improve.

She said she was startled to learn that seven survey participants reported using heroin. While, statistically speaking, that's a small percentage, "that's seven too many for me," Lodge said to a group of parents and town officials at Madison town hall Tuesday night during a presentation to key constiuencies in town. The public is invited to a meeting to review the results Monday, Feb. 6 at the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road, Madison, CT. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Concern about the 11th grade?

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson also noted that the survey results appear to indicate that the town's 11th grade population is not making progress at the same rate of other grade levels when it comes to postive trends. He asked whether the survey revealed any reasons for that.

"Every group of kids is different," said Catherine LeVasseur, M.A.D.E. coalition coordinator. "We might have a couple of kids with strong personalities that shape the perceptions of the class."

M.A.D.E. officials said finding out trends like that are exactly why they do the survey, so that they can probe further to find out if there is a problem, and target their programs if there is.

Developmental assets strong, still there is room for improvement

Another example of that is that the survey shows that youths in town, overall, feel like they have a high level of "developmental assets" that have been shown to help when it comes to resisting drug and alcohol use, and other risky behaviors. Out of 40 developmental assets measured, the survey showed that Madison youth having an average of about 22, compared with about 21.3 two years ago. That compares to about 18 nationwide.

Still, there are several areas where the town can do better when it comes to helping families understand and develop these assets in their children, M.A.D.E. officials said.

Specifically, the town could do better when it comes to providing creative activities, opportunities and encouragement to read for pleasure, letting the town's youth know that we value them, making sure parents are involved in schooling, and enhancing positive family communication, the survey showed.

Contest designed to provide creative outlet, letting youth know we value them

In response, based on the survey results, M.A.D.E. has already initiated a video campaign in the high school, encouraging students to submit short 30-second videos that explain what they do for fun.

Here are additional details about the survey, from M.A.D.E.:

– The Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition (M.A.D.E. in Madison) today released survey highlights gathered from over 1,600 youths between the ages of 12-18.  The survey, conducted in November 2011, was designed to identify key factors that either contribute to the risk of teen substance abuse or help to prevent alcohol and drug use by young people.  Funded by a Drug Free Communities grant, the survey also reported on the challenges and strengths of Madison teens.  M.A.D.E. will host a community briefing and discussion about the youth survey findings on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 6:30 pm at the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road, Madison.  This meeting is free and open to the public.

 Every two years, M.A.D.E. partners with the Madison school system to administer the Search Institute’s Attitudes and Behaviors survey to youth in grades 7-12.  Comparisons in the data between the 2009 and 2011 survey indicate that, in almost every area measured, Madison youth are engaging in less high-risk behavior.  Overall underage drinking decreased 4.17%, tobacco use decreased 14.29% and marijuana use decreased 6.67%.  As a whole, students are also starting to delay their initiation for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.  At the same time, while 68% of Madison youth in grades 9-12 don’t drink, of the 32% that do, 24% of them drink heavily (or report having used alcohol three or more times in the last 30 days or been drunk once or more in the last two weeks.)  Alcohol abuse in teens can lead to serious repercussions, including addiction.  A person who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol.

Although much of the data is moving in a positive direction, M.A.D.E. reports two additional areas of concern in the latest survey:  An increase of 4.17% of youth who reported “riding (once or more in the last 12 months) with a driver who has been drinking” and the fact that the perception of risk of harm from using marijuana fell from 82% in 2009 to 79.2% in 2011 and evidence shows a link between perception of risk of harm and use rates.

A one-page survey addendum, designed to measure prescription drug abuse and where youth obtain alcohol and other drugs was administered with the survey.  This addendum was added because of increasing concerns over the abuse of prescription drugs like pain relievers, stimulants and tranquilizers.  The survey addendum found that of ten illicit substances asked about, the most commonly used was synthetic marijuana (Spice, K2, K3) with 12.5% high school age youth and 20.9% 12th grade youth reporting having tried this substance in their lifetime.  About 10% of Madison youth reported having ever tried using any of the illicit substances, and 4.3% reported using in the previous 30 days.

In addition, the survey addendum found that prescription drugs most often experimented with (without a doctor’s orders) were stimulants (“uppers” like Ritalin, Adderall or amphetamines), depressants (“downers” like Quaalude or sleeping pills), and prescription pain medications (like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan, Codeine).   10.8% of Madison youth reported having tried prescription drugs without doctor’s orders and 4.4% reported having abused a prescription drug within the last 30 days.  Further data analysis indicated that youth who used illicit drugs were generally not the same ones as those who abused prescription medicines.

Availability of most substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana, has decreased in Madison since the ADAS survey was given in 2006 and these substances are generally reported by youth to be less available than in national statistics.  Among youth who reported having used alcohol at some time in their lives, the most common sources – especially among older youth – were their friends, at teen parties without adults present, and from people who bought alcohol for them.

Aside from use rates, the survey showed an increase in Developmental Assets.  Developmental Assets are the supports, experiences and attitudes that can influence our decisions and help shape us as people.  They are the fundamental relationships, opportunities and qualities that young people need to avoid risky behavior and to thrive.  Out of 40 Developmental Assets measured, Madison youth reported having an average of 22 of the Developmental Assets compared with 21.3 two years ago.  Developmental Assets are an evidence-based framework and measuring stick for some very common sense assertions:  all adolescents need support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, a commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and a positive identity.  The more assets an adolescent identifies in their life, the more likely they are to make smart choices.  As adults, we can all help build assets in our youth through simple, everyday actions.  M.A.D.E. has identified the following two of the lowest reported Developmental Assets by Madison youth to address in their strategic plan:  (1) Community Values Youth (defined as “Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.”) and, (2) Positive Family Communication (defined as “Young person and his or her parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek parent(s’) advice and counsel.”)

In response to the youth survey results, Lori Lodge, Chair of the M.A.D.E. Coalition, states, “We are pleased to see that our youth are reporting less participation in risky behaviors.  We credit that positive movement to everyone in our community that has engaged with the work of the coalition whether it has been through committee work or participation in the programs and educational opportunities that we have offered over the last couple of years.  We know from other community coalitions that the investment of time and resources in our youth is a worthwhile investment and one that will ensure that Madison continues to be a highly regarded and successful community.”

A complete report of the survey findings can be found on M.A.D.E.’s website madeinmadison.org.  We welcome and encourage all members of the community to become involved with M.A.D.E.  To find out how you can participate, contact Catherine LeVasseur, Coalition Coordinator at levasseurc@madisonct.org or 203-245-5694.

M.A.D.E. in Madison is a diverse coalition of community members striving to promote positive youth development.  Our focus is to foster a community that values its youth and promotes healthy decisions.  We invite all members of the community to join us in actively building and enhancing relationships, experiences, values and attitudes that young people need for future success and good health.

M.A.D.E. is funded in part by the Office of National Drug Control Policy:  Drug Free communities Support Program and the State Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Partnership for Success grant.  M.A.D.E. operates under the auspices of town of Madison and is managed through Madison Youth & Family Services.