EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one of two releases related to the latest IU findings on alcohol, tobacco and other controlled substance use by Hoosier youth. Tables and statistics are available by calling our office (812-855-3911). In a related development, the Indiana Governor's office has announced a new drug education program based on IU's research.

DRUG, TOBACCO USE DOWN AMONG HOOSIER YOUTH FOR FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- To put a new twist on an old cliche, there's good news and there's more good news. After four years of steady increases in the use of marijuana, tobacco and other drugs by Hoosier adolescents, 1997 has seen a leveling off, and in some cases a clear decrease, in use of these substances.

The annual report by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC) at Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation was released today (Aug. 12) in Bloomington at a meeting of the state Division of Mental Health's Local Prevention Coalitions.

"Especially encouraging is the drop in use rates in the critical 7th through 9th grades," commented William J. Bailey, executive director of the IPRC and associate professor of Applied Health Science. That age group represents a "window of vulnerability," identified by Bailey in the report as the time during which youngsters are most likely to either experiment or begin regular use of drugs.

On the basis of the IPRC report, the Division of Mental Health is expected to announce today that it is providing $5.2 million in funding for 250 to 300 new local prevention programs designed specifically for this age group. Developed with the expertise of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center, the programs will be provided to all 92 Indiana counties. >

Another encouraging new finding in the report indicates the first significant drop in the use of marijuana since 1992. Over the past four years, marijuana use among Indiana 6th through 12th graders more than doubled, reflecting national trends. But in 1997, decreases were found at all grade levels except for 12th graders.

This year, use of marijuana on a monthly or frequent basis by 6th through 12th graders has dropped about 2 percent overall, which translates into about 11,000 fewer users statewide. Monthly use rates ranged from 2.7 percent of 6th graders to 23.5 percent of 12th graders.

Also positive is the reported decline in cigarette smoking by youths in grades 6 through 11, particularly in monthly and daily use and in consumption of at least a half-pack a day. The declines in cigarette smoking are "statistically significant," Bailey said, "especially in the critical 7th through 9th grades, where even lifetime and annual use declined impressively." Daily use by 7th graders dropped from 10.4 percent in 1996 to 8.3 percent this year; daily use by 9th graders dropped from 22 percent in 1996 to 19 percent in 1997.

The decline in use among those in 7th through 9th grade is again important because this is the age when young people are at greatest risk of starting to use a wide range of drugs, Bailey said, "and cigarette smoking is an important predictor of other future drug use."

This finding is also significant because the survey was taken in March and April, shortly after new Food and Drug Administration regulations were implemented requiring tobacco retailers to check proof of age before selling tobacco products to young people. "The drops in monthly and daily use may be the first signs that the FDA regulations are having an effect," said Bailey.

Other possible influences, he added, include federal and state efforts to curb youthful smoking, attacks on tobacco companies for youth-oriented advertising and promotions, and tobacco-related litigation.

In additional findings, the latest survey shows that use of smokeless tobacco products -- moist snuff and looseleaf chewing tobacco -- by Indiana children and adolescents has continued to decline for the third consecutive year in all measures of prevalence (lifetime, annual, daily and monthly). Again, Bailey said, this could be an effect of the new FDA regulations on the purchase of tobacco products.

Binge drinking, which is identified as having five or more servings on a single occasion at least once in the two weeks prior to the survey, has leveled off from the previous year and is down significantly at all grade levels in Indiana compared to five years ago. "The discouraging news is that it's still significantly higher than the national average," Bailey said.

Bailey said the differences between grade levels in use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is becoming more pronounced than in previous surveys. "To begin with, as we first revealed when they were in 8th grade in 1993, this past spring's graduating high school seniors are part of a 'problem' cohort with above-average drug use. That's still true this year, as only the 12th graders registered higher daily and lifetime prevalence of drug use compared to 1996."

But Indiana is not alone with this particular class's problem, he emphasized. The National High School Survey and other studies have identified the nationwide Class of 1997 as recording significant increases in drug use across-the-board: in lifetime use of cigarettes, cocaine, crack cocaine, inhalants, amphetamines, tranquilizers, prescription narcotics and psychedelics, and in annual use of cigarettes, cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines and prescription narcotics.

There is reason for hope, however. "While lifetime use and use during the past year was much higher, the changes in monthly and daily use, and in binge drinking, were much less pronounced, suggesting that this class might have started moderating some of its drug use behaviors during their last year in school," Bailey said.

Perhaps following in the footsteps of their older classmates is the Class of 1999 -- last year's 10th graders, whose drug use patterns were also above average. The Classes of 2000 and 2002 (7th and 9th graders) reported lower than average rates of use, which might be attributed to their relative youth. "It will be interesting to see if this pattern remains consistent in these groups as they pass through middle and high school," Bailey said.

The IPRC report draws on data from 82 separate anonymous surveys of 72,571 Indiana youngsters in grades 6 through 12 in more than 200 Indiana schools. It is unique in the United States because it surveys annually a large representative sample of youth in every grade from 6th to 12th. Other measurements, such as the national survey, study fewer grade levels, and most other states' surveys poll only in selected grades and are not annual.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of two IU releases on the latest survey on alcohol, tobacco and other controlled substance use by Hoosier youth. It provides background on the state government's new drug education program, which is based on the IU research. If you want the name of the organization designated to handle the program in your region, contact our office at 812-855-3911.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- When Gov. Frank O'Bannon announced today a new $5.2 million, state-funded drug prevention services initiative, he added a strong new weapon to Indiana's efforts to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by the state's pre-teens and adolescents. The Local Prevention Services Initiative will create nearly 300 new, community-based programs that focus on positive influences in order to prevent drug problems among youth.

The new programs are designed to deal with drug problems before they start, by serving young people who are not drug users. "They provide positive, supportive activities that build assets in youth to help them stay away from drugs," said William J. Bailey, executive director of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC) in the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The Center produced the study that prompted the state's new programs initiative, which will provide funding for prevention programs involving existing youth development organizations in the community, such as YMCAs, 4-H clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, local parks departments, churches and teen centers.

"The governor's initiative focuses on adding positive influences to a youth's life rather than on trying to remove negative influences," Bailey explained. "It's based on statewide data that shows the importance of providing support for middle school-aged students during the late afternoon hours."

The after-school prevention programs, which will be voluntary, are intended to involve these youngsters in a variety of entertaining and educational activities, including sports and recreation, hobbies and crafts, social skills development, help with homework, and instruction in skills such as dancing and computer use. They also will teach youth the skills needed to resist peer pressure to use drugs. Some of the programs will also feature a strong community service component.

Bailey said the after-school prevention programs will avoid lectures and classroom-type activities, relying instead on interaction and a less formal structure to encourage participation in a relaxed environment. The programs are designed to build upon, not duplicate, school drug education and community-based prevention efforts.

"The after-school programs will serve three purposes," he added. "First, they will help our young people develop life skills we now know are necessary to resist drugs. Second, they will provide the opportunity to socialize with non-using peers. Third, they will provide supportive adult supervision during the high-risk late-afternoon hours."

The programs will be coordinated by 14 regional prevention services coalitions. Six of these coalitions are ready to begin offering programs within the next six weeks, while the remaining eight coalitions will start programs by November.

For more information, contact Ellen K. Mathia at 812-855-0085 or 812-855-3911, emathia@indiana.edu