Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey

FLORIDA YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE SURVEY SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

. Survey administration: March-May of 2010. . Sampling strategy: schools and classrooms were selected to generate statistically representative county-level estimates. . Final sample size was 842 across grades 6 through 12. . The margin of error is less than 6.2 percentage points for M.S. prevalence rates and 6.8 percentage points for H.S. prevalence rates.

. With overall prevalence rates of 52.8% for lifetime use and 28.3% for past-30-day use, alcohol is the most commonly used drug among Indian River County students. . After alcohol, students reported marijuana (20.1% lifetime and 11.3% past-30- day) and cigarettes (32.2% lifetime and 8.4% past-30-day) as the most commonly used drugs. . For other ATOD categories, past-30-day prevalence ranges from 3.9% for Rx pain relievers to 0.3% for methamphetamines.

. In Indian River County, past-30-day alcohol use among middle school students was reported at 21.0%, compared to 16.8% in the statewide survey. . Binge drinking among high school students decreased from 21.6% in 2008 to 15.8% in 2010. . Perceived risk of harm associated with alcohol use increased from 36.6% in 2004 to 44.9% in 2010. . Past-30-day cigarette use declined from 16.9% in 2000 to 8.4% in 2010. . Past-30-day marijuana use among middle school students increased from 3.0% in 2006 to 7.2% in 2010.

. In Indian River County, 9.4% of surveyed students reported the use of any illicit drug other than marijuana, compared to 9.3% across the statewide sample. . Past-30-day inhalant use among middle school students decreased from 7.1% in 2008 to 3.0% in 2010. . Past-30-day depressant use among high school students increased from 0.8% in 2008 to 3.0% in 2010. . Among middle school students, 3.0% reported the use of inhalants in the past 30 days, a rate higher than any other illicit drug (except marijuana). . In Indian River County, prevalence rates for Being Arrested (3.6%), Attempting to Steal a Vehicle (2.8%) and Taking a Handgun to School (1.7%) are all less than 5.0%. . Notably higher prevalence rates were reported for Getting Suspended (18.8%), Attacking Someone with Intent to Harm (13.3%), and Being Drunk or High at School (12.1%). . In Indian River County, 12.9% of middle school students have been physically bullied, 38.9% have been socially bullied, and 13.2% have been cyber bullied.

. Protective factor prevalence rates—opportunities for improvement:  Middle school students reported the lowest rates of protection for the School Opportunities for Prosocial Involvement (30%) and the School Rewards for Prosocial Involvement (39%) scales.  High school students reported the lowest rates of protection for the School Opportunities for Prosocial Involvement (46%) and the School Rewards for Prosocial Involvement (48%) scales.

. Risk factor prevalence rates—opportunities for improvement:  Middle school students reported the highest rates of risk for the Transitions and Mobility (55%) and the Community Disorganization (76%) scales.  High school students reported the highest rates of risk for the Transitions and Mobility (50%), Perceived Availability of Handguns (50%), the Poor Family Management (50%), and the Community Disorganization (63%) scales.