Drug use by Indiana sixth through 12th graders continues to decline but findings from the 19th Annual Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents, conducted by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University Bloomington and funded by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's Division of Mental Health and Addiction, also pointed to an increase in marijuana use.

Sales of tobacco products to Indiana youth assisting with the Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program hit an all-time low last year with sales occuring during just 7.2 percent of more than 8,000 inspections, reversing the slight increase seen the previous year.

Efforts to reduce tobacco sales to minors in Indiana lost ground slightly last year, returning to the 2005 rate of 12.7 percent and ending six consecutive years of reduced sales, according to the latest data from the Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program.

Tobacco sales to minors in Indiana dropped for the sixth year in a row, according to the latest data from the Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program, a joint venture of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University and the Indiana State Excise Police. When TRIP first began, 40 percent of retailers sold tobacco to minors. That number has dropped each year and is now down to 10.5 percent.

Living Well for May offers tips for interesting children-themed gardens, reducing the risk of drug and alcohol use for children and teens during the summer, and where to begin when a child is diagnosed with autism.

Living Well for September discusses athletes' vision concerns, baby boomers strength training, a 'making friends' primer and adolescents' use of steroids.

The deadline is this week for registering for "Issues in Education," Indiana University's July 28 media seminar at IUPUI. Faculty experts will draw from their research and service as they discuss important issues of the day, and Gerardo Gonzalez, University Dean of the School of Education, will make a special announcement.

July's Living Well has a back-to-school theme and features school readiness tips for parents, a smooth transition to high school, gambling as a top priority for youth substance abuse prevention and undiagnosed vision problems leading to difficulties in early education.

Indiana University has organized a one-day seminar, "Issues in Education," to help reporters tackle the complex issues involved with educating Indiana children and students nationwide. Faculty experts will draw from their research and service as they discuss the following topics: Achievement gap, substance abuse, computers in schools legislative issues and full-day kindergarten. The casual setting will allow for an easy exchange between reporters and faculty. Reporters will be able to get sound bites, quotes, contacts and a deeper understanding of some of the challenging issues of the day.

Tobacco retailers in Indiana are more diligent than ever in refusing to sell to minors, according to the latest data from the Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program, a joint venture of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University and the Indiana State Excise Police.

Tips for April discuss jogging and knee pain, PFOA exposure and nonstick cookware, and candy tobacco.

Living Well tips for March discuss the benefits of using a heart rate monitor, how to prevent inhalant abuse and how to help children develop an appreciation for the outdoors.