PARKERSBURG - Though few students report using drugs and alcohol at schools, youth substance abuse is still an issue in Wood County.
Officials with Wood County Schools reviewed results Tuesday evening from the 2008-09 P.R.I.D.E. survey, which was distributed this year to more than 3,800 students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 in both the district's public schools and three private schools. The findings were reported to the Wood County Board of Education by Dianne Boggess, coordinator of the Safe & Drug Free Schools program for Wood County Schools.
The majority of students who reported using drugs and alcohol said those occurrences happened most often on weeknights or weekends and away from the schools.
However, the percentage of students using drugs and alcohol remained alarming, school officials said.
According to the survey, about half of the district's seniors drank beer in the past year.
Slightly more reported liquor use, and nearly 44 percent drank wine coolers/breezers.
"About one in five seniors reported they drank alcohol at home," Boggess said.
In grades 6 and 8, 17 percent drank beer, nearly 12 percent drank liquor and about 16 percent drank wine coolers/breezers in the past year.
Marijuana was the most-used drug among students, with slightly more than 15 percent of students reporting its use within the last year.
Cocaine use was reported by about 3 percent of students.
However, Boggess said the numbers indicated a decreasing trend of drug and alcohol use among students.
"Overall use of cigarettes, beer and marijuana has declined," she said.
A separate survey also was administered to fourth-grade students, but was not presented at Tuesday's meeting.
The P.R.I.D.E. survey is administered every two years and was first given to Wood County Schools students during the 1988-89 school year.
Boggess said the survey results will be sent to school principals and to law enforcement and community groups throughout the area.
"The community is so thankful Wood County Schools does this survey," she said.
Board member John Marlow said to him the survey indicates children need more intervention in the home.
"That is proof we need more parental involvement when the kids are at home," he said, referring to student perceptions of how peers and parents view drugs and alcohol.
Superintendent Bill Niday said the survey results also indicate students who are active in schools and community groups, such as church youth groups, are less apt to use drugs and alcohol.
"There is a direct correlation that students being involved in school activities and other activities are less likely to engage in those risky behaviors," he said.
Pride Survey results for Wood County Schools and for each individual school can be viewed online at boe.wood.k12.wv.us/pridesurvey2008/.
