Coordination of prevention efforts aimed at decreasing substance abuse among Kansas youth is resulting in good news for Kansans, according to a recent Kansas Communities That Care student survey, used to gauge prevention trends and outcomes.

Cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use has dropped according to the survey of 55,700 Kansas 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students. Other trend data from the survey show that youth attitudes favorable toward alcohol and drugs are dropping and perceived peer acceptability of drugs and alcohol continues to decrease.

The data, which has been gathered yearly since 1995 by the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center under contract with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) Office of Prevention, was presented to the Governor’s Substance Abuse Prevention Council, which was created with an Executive Order issued by Governor Bill Graves in 1998. The Prevention Council has met monthly since its creation with a primary focus on substance abuse, but a general focus on reducing many other unhealthy behaviors that impact the lives of Kansas youth. Co-chairs of the council, SRS Secretary Janet Schalansky and Commissioner Albert Murray of the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA), said the results were encouraging.

"The collaborative work being done to create supportive environments for children is paying off," said Secretary Schalansky. "In almost every category surveyed, the trends are moving in the right direction."

According to the survey, youth cigarette use declined 2.8 percent in the last year, continuing a downward trend that began in 1997. Use of alcohol and marijuana, which showed an upward trend since 1995, both dropped in the most recent survey, alcohol by 1.8 percent and marijuana by 2.1 percent. The prevalence of some risk factors declined in the last year as well. For example, perceived peer acceptability of cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use went down, as did favorable attitudes toward problem behaviors.

"There is reason to celebrate," said Commissioner Murray. "By reducing risk factors for substance abuse, we are helping to ensure the hopes and dreams families have for their children will come true. The survey data shows that prevention is working in Kansas."

The Governor’s Substance Abuse Prevention Council, a coalition of government agencies, works to address issues involving youth and their families. Besides SRS and JJA, other agencies included on the council are the Kansas Department of Corrections, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Department of Education, and the Attorney General’s Office.

The surveys are completed under the direction of the SRS Office of Prevention, and are used to gauge prevention trends and prevention outcomes.

Kansas identified five risk and protective factors that demonstrate a significant relationship to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. The risk factors include: Favorable parental attitudes concerning alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse; community laws and norms favorable to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; perceived availability of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; friends who use drugs and/or engage in problem behaviors; and favorable attitudes toward problem behaviors.

Protective factors that have been the focus of the council include: family attachment and involvement; school opportunities and involvement; community opportunities and involvement; and social skills. Concerning prevention trends, the percentage of students who indicated that parents, teachers, and neighbors notice when they are doing a good job and let them know about it has increased slightly. This was also good news to Schalansky. "Children must be recognized and acknowledged for their efforts," she said.

Andrew O’Donovan, director of the Office of Prevention, said another positive trend in the data shows that children are waiting until they are older to begin experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The age of first-time users of cigarettes and alcohol has increased since 1995. The age of first-time marijuana users went up during 1995 to 1998, dropped in 1999, then went up again last year.

"The earlier young people begin using drugs, the greater the likelihood that they will exhibit problem behaviors later on," he said. "For example, research shows that young people who initiate drug use before the age of 15 are at twice the risk of having drug problems as those who wait until after the age of 19."

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001