Percent of youth grades 6-12 who drank in the past 30-days
Current Value
1.70%
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
Abuse of alcohol and drugs can negatively impact cognitive growth of the teenage brain during a critical time of development. Teens who abuse these substances are more likely to engage in risky sexual activity, drive under the influence, abuse multiple substances and commit crimes. Abuse of alchol and drugs is also linked to physical and mental health problems, poor academic performance and disengagement from peers, family, schools and community. The negative consquences of teen alcohol and drug abuse can carry over into adulthood. Overall, alcohol and drug use by adolescents have declined during the past decade, although patterns vary by substance.
Partners
Parents Empowered
What Works
BRHD reaches many families attending community health fairs and presentations in our schools have impacted many of our youth.
Strategy
The Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey (SHARP) is administered every other year to students who consent to participate. This survey ask students in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grade about their alcohol-related behaviors, including; frequency, how they obtain it, and where they consume it. BRHD uses the results from this survey to prevent and target underage drinking in our community. Staff attends community health fairs to promote the Parents Empowered Underage Drinking Campaign. We also go into our schools and do presentations on the dangers of underage drinking.