About the Data: Percent of Adolescents Who Used Substances Within the Last Month

Data Description

Data Source(s):
Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS)

Prior Use on EBCI THIP:
No

Measure Definition:
Percent of CCS YRRS respondents that reported consuming alcohol or using another substance in the past 30 days
(# of respondents reporting substance use in the past 30 days / Total CCS YRRS respondents)

Baseline (Annual):

2022:

• Percent: 23.12%
• Numerator: 114 respondents
• Denominator: 493 respondents

Target:

20% of respondents consumed alcohol or used another substance in the past 30 days

Target-Setting Method:

3% improvement from baseline

Annual Data Overview

Measure Components

Numerator:
Number of CCS YRRS respondents who reported consuming alcohol or using another substance in the past 30 days. Data is taken from responses to the following questions:

1. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you have at least one drink of alcohol?
2. During the past 30 days, how many times did you use marijuana?
3. During the past 30 days, how many times did you use synthetic marijuana?
4. During the past 30 days, how many times did you take prescription pain medicine without a doctor’s prescription or differently than prescribed?
5. During the past 30 days, how many times did you use any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase?
6. During the past 30 days, how many times did you use heroin?
7. During the past 30 days, how many times did you use methamphetamines?
8. During the past 30 days, how many times did you sniff glue, inhale aerosol sprays, or use any paints or sprays to get high?

Denominator:
Total number of CCS YRRS respondents from Cherokee Central Schools.

Data Collection Frequency:

Biennial

Story Behind the Curve

The reduction in the percentage of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) students reporting substance use within the past 30 days, from 23.12% in 2022 to 17.00% in 2024, reflects the impact of community-driven efforts to raise awareness and reduce stigma around substance use. Key to this progress were initiatives that engaged both adolescents and their families through culturally relevant approaches.

The Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS) data identified high rates of substance use, which informed targeted outreach and prevention programs. Events like Recovery/Wellness Rallies provided a platform to promote recovery and educate the community on the risks of adolescent substance use. Additionally, the “Faces & Voices of Recovery” digital storytelling series created relatable narratives that highlighted recovery journeys, helping to normalize seeking help and reducing stigma.

Despite progress, challenges remain in fully understanding the reasons behind substance use and in ensuring resources reach all segments of the adolescent population.

Partners

Reducing adolescent substance use required the collaboration of multiple stakeholders, including:

• Cherokee Central Schools (CCS): Administered the YRRS and implemented in-school substance use prevention education programs.
• EBCI Public Health and Human Services (PHHS): Coordinated awareness campaigns and family-centered prevention initiatives.
• Analenisgi Behavioral Health Services: Provided mental health and behavioral counseling for students identified as at risk.
• Community Recovery Groups: Engaged adolescents and families in discussions about the risks of substance use and the importance of seeking help early.
• Parent and Family Networks: Participated in prevention workshops and supported students in maintaining healthy habits.

These partnerships fostered a strong, community-wide approach to reducing adolescent substance use.

What Worked

Several approaches contributed to the success in reducing substance use among adolescents:

1. Recovery/Wellness Rallies: These events engaged the community and increased visibility of resources while promoting healthy, substance-free lifestyles. The rallies far exceeded participation goals, drawing 476 participants in 2023 and 637 in 2024.
2. “Faces & Voices of Recovery” Series: Sharing recovery stories through social media, tribal events, and YouTube effectively reduced stigma and encouraged open discussions about substance use.
3. Culturally Relevant Messaging: Initiatives incorporated EBCI cultural values, making programs more relatable and impactful for adolescents and their families.
4. Youth-Focused Surveys: The YRRS provided actionable data that guided targeted interventions and outreach efforts.

Strategy

The strategies implemented to address adolescent substance use under the THIP were multi-faceted and designed to engage both youth and the broader community. These strategies included:

1. Awareness and Engagement through Events:

   • Hosted community-wide events, such as Recovery/Wellness Rallies, to reduce stigma and raise awareness about substance use risks. The events served as a platform to promote healthy behaviors and highlight local recovery resources.

2. Storytelling to Reduce Stigma:

   • Created and shared the “Faces & Voices of Recovery” digital storytelling series, which featured real-life recovery journeys. These stories were distributed via tribal events, social media, and YouTube to engage youth and families, encouraging open conversations about substance use and recovery.

3. Data-Driven Interventions:

   • Leveraged data from the Cherokee Central Schools YRRS to identify key areas of concern and target resources to adolescents reporting higher rates of substance use. This data guided the development of school-based interventions and tailored programs.

4. Youth-Focused Education:

   • Collaborated with Cherokee Central Schools to deliver age-appropriate educational sessions about the dangers of substance use and strategies for prevention. These sessions were informed by survey results to address behaviors most prevalent among students.

5. Collaborative Community Action:

   • Worked with EBCI Public Health and Human Services and other partners to organize workshops and activities aimed at building resilience and fostering protective factors among adolescents. Families were encouraged to participate, creating a community-supported approach to prevention.

Through these coordinated strategies, the EBCI community successfully reduced the percentage of adolescents reporting substance use in the past 30 days, achieving measurable progress toward the THIP objectives.