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‘4 in 10 youths take alcohol, pot
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Posted on Sep 06 2011
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
About four in 10 youths on island are believed to be using alcohol or marijuana, according to an official of the Department of Public Health’s Community Guidance Center, citing data culled from the Public School System.
Speaking before Friday’s proclamation of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month at the Governor’s Office, CGC manager Reyna Saures said that a behavioral survey conducted two years ago showed that 38.8 percent of youth respondents took alcohol in the last 30 days, while 30 percent admitted to have used marijuana.
Saures said that majority of these alcohol and marijuana users are from public middle and high schools.
“I think these figures are too high. It is alarming to find out that 38.8 percent of youth who took the survey admitted taking this substance, which means almost four in every 10 youths are drinking alcohol in our community,” she told Saipan Tribune, adding that the results must serve as a wake-up call for parents, families, and the community to take immediate action.
“I don’t think any parent is willing to identify their children in one of those four [takers].we need to do something for them,” she said.
Saures expressed hope that PSS’ new behavioral survey, the results of which are expected to be released within the year, will show better results.
Although Saures has been seeing a “decreasing” trend in youths involved in substance abuse, she said the decline is “very slight” and needs to be improved.
“Because this is so complex and multifaceted, we need to deal with the accessibility of the substances, the enforcement, education and awareness and most importantly, the community must come together because it’s everyone’s problem,” she said.
Saures said that addressing substance use disorder requires comprehensive environmental strategies and pro-active approaches.
September 2011 was endorsed Friday as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the Commonwealth. This year’s theme is “Join the voices for recovery: now more than ever.”
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery Coalition, led by Clyde Norita, has prepared a series of activities for the monthlong occasion.
