Study Measures Drug Abuse by O.C. Students

In the first-ever accounting of substance abuse among Orange County public school students, a survey released Wednesday revealed that more than four in 10 seventh- and 10th-graders have used alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs.

The survey showed that substance abuse among county students was lower than among their peers nationally, in many cases because of parental pressure.

It revealed that even mild objections by parents steered youngsters away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco. But many students who admitted using those substances said they perceived that their parents did not care if they smoke or drink.

More than half of seventh-graders who drink say they get alcohol at home, although the report notes that “presumably, this includes slight amounts of drinking for ceremonial or religious purposes.”

The good news is that 85% of those surveyed in the 10th grade and 93% in seventh grade say they do not use drugs, and 85% of 10th-graders and nearly 94% of seventh-graders say they do not smoke.

But, said Sharon Paul, director of the Orange County Education Department’s human services unit, “even though the number of Orange County students (who are substance abusers) is still relatively low, the fact is that there are still too many kids involved in at-risk behavior.”

The survey of fourth-, seventh- and 10th-graders, conducted by the county Department of Education, will be part of a project to determine whether substance abuse intervention and prevention classes are working in public schools. The project will establish statistics for the districts to use as guidelines on whether the classes are effective. Students will be surveyed again in the fall.

Nearly 16,000 fourth-, seventh- and 10th-grade students from 18 county school districts responded to the survey, conducted in the 1990-91 school year and paid for with a state grant. Two surveys were administered, one for fourth-graders and another for seventh- and 10th-graders. The written surveys were given in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean and were conducted so the students could remain anonymous.

Overall, according to the report, substance abuse among boys in those grades is greater than that among girls. Among substance abusers, nearly 5% of seventh-grade boys and 21% of 10th-grade boys use alcohol only and do not use drugs or tobacco.

Among boys in both grades, alcohol is the most abused single substance; indeed, 24% of the 10th-graders surveyed who said they drink have consumed five or more cans of beer in one sitting.

“The number of kids drinking five or more drinks at one time jumps out at me,” said Christina Nereson, program manager for the county’s alcohol and drug education prevention team. “That’s high. This shows that alcohol, unlike other drugs, is still socially acceptable.”

Drug use remains prevalent among some students. The survey showed that students who use drugs are likely to increase their use as they age: Four percent of seventh-graders said they use cocaine, compared to 6% of 10th-graders surveyed. Seven percent of seventh-graders said they have smoked marijuana, compared to 14% of 10th-graders surveyed.

Nationally, 16% of students said they had tried drugs in a 1987-88 National Adolescent Survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control.

As for smokers, nearly 6% of seventh-graders and 15% of 10th-graders in Orange County say they smoke. Among everyone surveyed--smokers and nonsmokers--nearly half of seventh-graders and 35% of 10th-graders said they think smokers use tobacco to “look cool.”

But the desire to look cool is supplanted by an addictive need to smoke as students get older, experts said.

“Every kid knows Joe Cool Camel,” Nereson said, referring to a cigarette ad featuring a cartoon camel. “Yes, there is that little warning on the advertisement. But the kids see him on the kiosks at the malls, they see him on the billboards. They see him in Sports Illustrated. They think they look cool when they smoke. But by the time they reach the upper grades, they are hooked on smoking.”

Among all student substance abusers surveyed, many said they believe that their parents do not care.

“Clearly, broken homes and the perception that parents approve of or do not care about student use of drugs are associated with the higher proportion of drug users among 10th-graders,” the report’s authors said. Similar findings were reported for abuse of other substances at all grade levels.

Nearly 27% of seventh-graders said they believe that their parents do not care whether they drink. That figure jumps to 86.8% among 10th-graders, most of whom said they buy alcohol themselves or ask their friends, rather than getting it at home.

That result alone shows that students will not drink and will not use drugs if they know that their parents would disapprove, experts said.

“Kids are influenced by friends, advertisements and other factors in the environment,” Nereson said. “It’s not just one factor that leads them to smoking or drinking. That’s why preventive measures have to cover all areas.”

The survey also revealed a greater need to educate students on the health risks of substance abuse. For example, it revealed that more than 50% of students surveyed do not connect tobacco use to illnesses such as lung cancer or high blood pressure.

The survey also asked students at what grade level should drug and tobacco prevention classes begin. At least one-third of the students, including fourth-graders, say they believe that drug education should begin as early as possible.

“While children in this county already have good knowledge about these substances, there is still much more we can do,” said Sandra Landry, administrator for the county Department of Education’s health and wellness program.

O.C. Students Who Are Substance Abusers

A pioneering survey offers a close look at Orange County students’ use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs. More than 10,000 seventh-and 10th-grade students in 18 school districts were surveyed last fall by the Orange County Department of Education. Only a small percentage of those surveyed say they use the substances. Here is a profile of those who are substance abusers.

Tobacco / Why they smoke: I like it 7th graders: 35.1% 10th graders: 61.4% I’m unhappy or angry 7th graders: 33.5% 10th graders: 25.1% To make friends 7th graders: 15.8% 10th graders: 6.4% Makes me look cool 7th graders: 15.6% 10th graders: 7.2%

Alcohol / Where they get their alcohol: From home; parents know 7th graders: 52.9% 10th graders: 15.7% From home; parents don’t know 7th graders: 14.4% 10th graders: 7.4% From friends 7th graders: 28.2% 10th graders: 60.7% From adults, or I buy 7th graders: 4.5% 10th graders: 16.1%

Drugs / What drugs they use: Marijuana 7th graders: 48.5% 10th graders: 14.1% Cocaine 7th graders: 24.4% 10th graders: 19.9% Uppers 7th graders: 8.6% 10th graders: 10.3% Downers 7th graders: 6.0% 10th graders: 6.4% Note: Numbers do not always add up to 100% because some answers have been left out, “don’t knows” have been left off, or respondents could choose more than one answer.

Source: Orange County Department of Education

Teens and Their Habits

Results of an Orange County Department of Education survey show when teen-agers began drinking and where they buy their cigarettes.

Alcohol / When 10th-graders users say they had their first drink: 13 or 14: 25.7% 11 or 12: 16.2% 10 or younger: 14.1% 15 or older: 11.4%

Tobacco / Where seventh- and 10th-grade smokers get their cigarettes: Friends Home Neighborhood stores Vending machines

Education / What seventh- and 10th-graders know about the harmful effects of substance abuse:

7TH GRADERS I’d like to know more: 38.0% I know enough: 37.0% I know everything: 13.5% I know a little: 8.5% I know nothing: 3.5%

10TH GRADERS I know enough: 51.7% I’d like to know more: 26.7% I know everything: 11.4% I know a little: 8.5% I know nothing: 1.9% Note: Some results do not add to 100% because some answers have been left out, “don’t knows” have been left off, or respondents chose more than one answer.

Source: Orange County Department of Education