Rogelio Dominguez Bernard Carter Lake County Sheriff Lake County Prosecutor
John Ayre Key Executive Director
2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile
The Consumption and Consequences of Alcohol & Other Drugs in Lake County, Indiana
Produced by the
Lake County, Indiana Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) State Incentive Grant (SIG)
A Division of the
Lake County Drug Free Alliance
With Support from
Calumet College of Saint Joseph’s Public Safety Institute
Completed
Spring 2008
Lake County Drug Free Alliance | 2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile 1
Our Vision:
A Positive, Healthy, Safe, and Drug-Free Lake County that Encourages and Enhances the Creative and Productive Spirit of All.
Our Mission:
To Eliminate Substance Abuse in All Lake County Citizens
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This document, written for key community stakeholders and policymakers, presents data and analysis to support the development of a county-wide systemic framework for reducing and eliminating alcohol use and abuse in Lake County, Indiana.
This document and the efforts described herein were funded through a Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) from the Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) and the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA).
For additional copies of this document, contact:
Lake County Drug-Free Alliance John Ayre Key, Executive Director Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) State Incentive Grant (SIG) 2900 West 93rd Avenue Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 648-6120 Fax: (219) 648-6122
[email protected] http://www.spfcentral.com
RESEARCH TEAM Manager: Adrian Muhammad, Enterprise Systems Asst. Manager: Kimberly Holliday Researcher: Joe Gomeztagle, Midwest Business and Economic Research Group Editing: Renee Prejean-Motanky, RPM Marketing
STATEMENT OF REPRODUCIBILITY Permission is granted, free of charge, to photocopy pages of this document that are not copyrighted. Permission to reproduce from government sources is traditionally freely granted by the U.S. Government. If the analysis included in this report is quoted, the source should be credited.
Lake County Drug Free Alliance | 2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile 3
Lake County Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) – State Incentive Grant (SIG) Program Team
Rogelio “Roy” Dominguez Bernard A. Carter John A. Key Lake County Sheriff Lake County Prosecutor Executive Director
Adrian Muhammad Kimberly Joy Holliday Joseph Gomeztagle Program Director Assistant Program Director Midwest Business & Economic Enterprise Systems, LLC Research Group, LLC
Renée Prejean-Motanky RPM Marketing
Local Advisory Council Cultural Competency Evaluation Workgroup (LAC) Workgroup
Bill Hill, Chairperson Maria Guillen, Chairperson Geoff Anderson, Chairperson Hillcrest Manor Hielo, LLC Calumet College
John Littman, Vice- Lisette Guillen, Vice- Dr. Gary Jones, Vice-Chairperson Chairperson Chairperson Calumet College Campagna Academy Northwest Indiana Times . Lorraine Guillen, Vice- Chairperson Northwest Indiana Times
Program & Policy Sustainability Workgroup Outreach Workgroup Workgroup
Ashvin Sheth, Chairperson Renae Brantley, Chairperson Phyllis Barlow, Chairperson Edgewater Systems Ancilla Systems, Inc. ABj Creative Marketing
Pat Simes, Vice-Chairperson New Life Family Learning Center
Training Workgroup Youth & Young Adult Survey Participants
Tommy Williams, James Dillon, Co-Chairperson Merrillville Community School Chairperson Corporation Gary Community School Eddie Melton, Co-Chairperson School City of East Chicago Corporation Redd Karpet Achievement, Inc. Gary Community School Corporation School City of Hammond Lake Ridge Schools Campagna Academy Gary Area Career Center Hammond Area Career Center
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Monday, April 21, 2008
Dear Community Stakeholder:
As Founders and Co-Chairs of the Lake County Drug Free Alliance, we are pleased to present the 2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile. The Epidemiological Profile is intended to serve as a community tool that can be used for strategic planning and implementation with respect to prevention of alcohol and substance abuse in Lake County among youth and young adults. This body of work is the result of an exhaustive effort on the part of many local, state and national stakeholders and serves as proof of our collaborative power to improve our entire community.
For compelling reasons, we encourage all constituent groups to become familiar with the data contained herein. By studying the findings of the “2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile”, community stakeholders will gain a true and current understanding of the causative factors that threaten the quality of life for youth in Lake County and surrounding jurisdictions.
Our next step in this valuable process is to successfully address the substance abuse issue in Lake County through the development of an outcome based, comprehensive strategic plan replete with objectives that are commensurate with the information identified in this Epidemiological Profile. Full participation is imperative for maximum success, thus we invite your input at every stage.
Please feel free to share the information contained in this report with any interested colleagues or community groups. We invite the entire community to use the inherent data to develop organizational and community strategies to combat underage drinking in particular and substance abuse in general. For the data to achieve relevance, we must collectively go to work to address and eradicate the factors that lead our young people to use substances that can endanger their future. To join our efforts, contact the Drug Free Alliance at 219-648-6121, or visit our website at www.drugfreealliance.com.
Sincerely,
Rogelio “Roy” Dominguez Bernard A. Carter Sheriff Roy Dominguez Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter Co-Chair Co-Chair
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Table of Contents
About the Lake County Drug-Free Alliance...... 7 About the Lake County SPF – SIG...... 8 Section 1: About Lake County...... 13
1.1 About Lake County ...... 13 1.2 Two Communities ...... 14 1.3 Geographic Overview ...... 15 1.4 Population...... 15 1.5 Risk Factors Behavioral Profile...... 16 1.6 Risk Factors – Community...... 18 1.7 Risk Factors - Education...... 20
Section 2: Methods ...... 24 Section 3: Executive Summary...... 32 Section 4: Alcohol Use in Lake County ...... 37
4.1 General Consumption Patterns ...... 37 4.2 Alcohol Consequence Analysis ...... 46
Section 5: Drug Use in Lake County - Consumption Patterns ...... 55
5.1 General Drug Use Consumption Patterns ...... 55 5.2 Marijuana Consumption Patterns ...... 57 5.3 Cocaine Consumption Patterns ...... 63
Section 6: Drug Use in Lake County – Consequence Analysis ...... 66
6.1 Drug Violations ...... 66 6.2 Marijuana Possession ...... 70 6.3 Cocaine Possession...... 73
Section 7: Conclusion ...... 76
Section 8: Sources...... 82
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About the Lake County Drug-Free Alliance
The Lake County Drug Free Alliance (DFA), a coalition of Lake County volunteers, was formed in 2003 by the joint efforts of Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter. John Key currently functions as Administrator of the Alliance serving as liaison to distinguished member-stakeholders from the Lake County drug prevention, treatment and law enforcement communities.
With more than 19 different cities and towns in Lake County, each with respective governing bodies, the Lake County Drug Free Alliance works with these communities to realize the DFA’s vision of a drug free community. In connecting the vital, diverse sectors of the community including law enforcement, treatment providers, prevention specialists, businesses, parents, youth, faith-based organizations, health providers, judicial entities, media, and government, Lake County gains a more complete understanding of the challenges presented by drug, alcohol, tobacco and other addiction issues. Uniting these sectors also leads to a comprehensive approach to strategies that work to eradicate these challenges.
This overall mission led the DFA to seek and obtain a State Incentive Grant to study and implement a strategic prevention framework for solving the problems of underage drinking in particular and alcohol abuse across the life span, in general.
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About the Lake County SPF – SIG
The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) utilizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) approach to evidenced-based prevention and is built on a community-based risk and protective factors perspective to prevention. SPF requires States and communities to systematically:
• Assess their prevention needs based on epidemiological data and the development of comprehensive Local Epidemiological Report, • Build their prevention capacity based on the funded resources in the target community, • Develop a comprehensive community Strategic Plan, • Implement effective community prevention programs, policies and practices, and • Evaluate their efforts for outcomes that are sustainable and culturally competent. (SAMSHA, CSAP 2007)
Through the Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA has funded 35 States, 5 tribes/tribal organizations, and 2 Territories to adopt and implement “the SFP” to deliver and sustain effective substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion programs in their communities.
The SIG Program is a State-coordinated, community-based approach that brings the issue of teenage substance abuse to the level of the individual teen and those most important in his or her life. The SIG Program has two goals:
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• To coordinate all substance abuse prevention funding streams within the State that are earmarked for communities, families, schools, and workplaces. • To develop a comprehensive statewide strategy aimed at reducing substance use by youth.
State Incentive Grants (SIGs) are the most direct mechanism for translating prevention knowledge into practice. The SIG program helps States and communities implement effective prevention program models. Eighty-five percent of program funds are channeled to local SIG sub- recipients, which include community-based organizations, coalitions, partnerships, local governments, schools, and school districts. (SAMSHA, CSAP 2007)
Based on the careful analysis and review of this data, the Governor’s State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) identified a list of prevention targets of significant epidemiological concern selecting alcohol, the most frequently used substance in Indiana, as its principal focus for these initial efforts. (The Consumption of Alcohol, SEOW, 2006)
The Governor’s Advisory Council then examined each of the communities of Indiana and developed a ranking mechanism for communities in terms of six key indicators:
1. number of alcohol-related fatal auto accidents; 2. rate of alcohol-related fatal auto accidents; 3. number of alcohol-related crashes; 4. rate of alcohol-related crashes; 5. number of arrests for public intoxication; and 6. rate of public intoxication arrests.
The indicators used and reported reflect data from the 2004 Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and 2005 data provided by the Indiana State Police (e.g., alcohol related motor vehicle accidents and fatalities). For
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each of the six indicators, counties were given 4 points if they were in the top 10th percentile, 3 points if they were in the top 15th percentile, 2 points if they were in the top 25th percentile and 1 point if they were in the top 50th percentile. The total points were then summed to total an overall alcohol priority score. According to the above methods, Lake County scored the highest of all of the communities in Indiana with an Alcohol Priority Score of 21, making it a “High Need” community for SPF-SIG funding. (Governor’s Advisory Council, State Strategic Plan 2006)
Lake County’s SPF-SIG program functions under the authority of the Lake County Drug-Free Alliance and has as its principle foci the following areas:
• Prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse, including childhood and underage drinking • Reduce substance abuse-related problems in Lake County; and • Build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the county and community levels
Under this recognized function and authority, Lake County through the Drug Free Alliance has sought to leverage and coordinate all prevention- related programs and sources of funding to accomplish the aforementioned goal. Of the principal goals of the SPF-SIG program, most important is the development of this local epidemiological study of the impacts of substance abuse in Lake County. Center to this epidemiological approach is seeking to understand the nature and extent of consumption and consequences, critical items in determining prevention priorities and aligning strategies to address them.
This 2008 Epidemiological Report seeks to satisfy the federal goals of identifying and assessing Lake County prevention data that will serve as the foundation of our community’s future and on-going strategic planning efforts.
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Lake County’s Drug Traffic Profile
According to analysis provided by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), Lake County is a microcosm of the nation in that heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy are all present in substantial amounts. This is made possible by several contributing factors.
Lake County’s close proximity to Chicago via the major interstates contributes greatly to the amount of drug trafficking in the County. Consequently, Lake County serves as a major distribution point for drugs destined for the Great Lakes Region, and as a distribution center for shipments moving east and west between the Northeastern and Southwest regions of the United States.
According to The High Incidence Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) report for 2008, Lake County sits at the intersection of what the NDIC has termed Corridors G and B. Corridor G is the primary drug smuggling route from South Florida and Corridor B is an east-west route that begins on the west coast and continues through Lake County on the way to Detroit and New York. Lake County is part of a Chicago based primary market for heroin and cocaine.
In addition to being in the footprint of Chicago, the economic woes of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago contribute to levels of violence and drug related crime that are unmatched in the region and nation. Economic development, related gentrification and the demolition of Chicago public housing developments have
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resulted in a demographic shift of gang populations and other criminal elements into Lake County.
Lake County HIDTA has identified 69 local, regional and national gangs as being responsible for the violence and drug trafficking activities in northern Lake County. Reportedly, there is also a movement afoot to spread these activities to the suburban communities to the South, East and West in Lake County and to neighboring Porter County.
Crack and cocaine present the most prevalent drugs in Lake County, but there has been a marked increase in heroin use which has given Lake County the distinction of having one of the highest heroin related death rates in the nation.
Marijuana is the most widely available and widely used drug in Lake County but poses a lower threat since its distribution and use are rarely associated with violence.[3]
According to HIDTA, the illegal drug outlook in Lake County will continue to be one of widespread use and availability.
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Section 1: About Lake County
1.1 About Lake County
Nestled immediately south of Chicago along the Southern shore of Lake Michigan, Lake County, Indiana provides a contrast of urban culture in the United States. Via its lakefront communities to the north, mixed with the urban retreating suburban networks of communities to the south, east and west.
In most northern Lake County communities, much of the quality of life, cultural diversity and demographic matrix are consistent with the cultural and economic lexicon of Chicago’s South and West sides. High unemployment rates, higher than average crime rates and their appurtenances adversely affect all three communities. In Southern Lake County and West Lake County, life and culture mirror typical Midwestern United States communities and, notwithstanding the current economic slowdown, these communities are experiencing exponential growth compared to their northern counterparts. For example, Crown Point, a southerly situated bedroom community of under 20,000 is currently enjoying an estimated $3.8 Billion dollars in development and is home to Indiana’s wealthiest citizens, while Gary, Hammond and East Chicago to the North, have seen little economic development since the four decade- old downsizing of the steel manufacturing industrial complex. This summary provides a brief description of Lake County and its inherent social, cultural, educational and economic complexities.
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1.2 Two Communities
Essentially, there are two distinct communities within Lake County. These two mega communities are comprised of numerous but similar smaller communities that are mostly divided by north and south boundaries. The community to the North is more urban (Black and Brown) and economically distressed than its southern counterpart. The community to the South is mostly White, economically stable and in part, bolstered by the hubs of the County’s retail and governmental complexes.
Gary, Hammond and East Chicago are the largest populated cities in Lake County and sit at the Southern tip of Lake Michigan in the footprint of Chicago. Behind Gary and Hammond, the Town of Merrillville is the most populated community and is undergoing rapid shifts in population similar to what other northern communities experienced over the last four decades.
At the height of the industrial era, North County, specifically Gary, was of America’s most productive cities / regions. It remains one of the nation’s premier steel manufacturing centers. However, as noted earlier, the considerable manufacturing decline over recent decades has left a sizeable mark as unemployment among North County residents now exceeds national and state levels.
There are strong faith based networks throughout the northern communities. Notwithstanding, this family driven culture, high levels of unemployment and under employment, and illegal drug trafficking are driving crime and other negative feeders that disproportionately impact these communities.
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1.3 Geographic Overview
Lake County, Indiana, approximately 500 square miles, is the second largest county in Indiana. It is situated in the Northwest corner of Indiana and as mentioned herein, is ethnically and geographically diverse. The County has eighteen city and town jurisdictions. There are heavy populations in the northern industrialized areas of the County. The northern corridor also has major railroad lines, three interstate freeways and two airports. The southern portion of Lake County is predominantly rural farmland that is quickly giving way to commercial and real estate development.
1.4 Population
Lake County’s exact population is 484,564. This number comprises 8% of Indiana’s total population of 6,080,485 persons.
Gary is Lake County’s largest city with a population of 102,746 or 21 % of the overall county population. Hammond is the next largest city with a population of 83,048 or 17 % of the total population. East Chicago is the third largest city with 32, 414 persons or 7% of the total population. The Town of Merrillville has 30,560 persons and amounts to 6% of the county’s total population. There are 19,806 persons residing in Crown Point accounting for 4% of the population. Crown Point is also the “county seat”.
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Lake County Population By Race
1.5 Risk Factors Behavioral Profile
There has been significant accomplished research in the area of drug prevention in the United States over the past two (2) decades. This research has endeavored to deepen the technical understanding of how drug use begins and progresses. This research has sought principally to advance systemic methods and approaches aimed at the identification, treatment and remediation of drug abuse and its consequences.
Some research has shown that the key risk periods for youth drug abuse are during the times of major transitions: i.e. leaving elementary school and entering middle school or the period from middle school to high school. Other science has proposed that early use and abuse of drugs can often be attributed to biological factors. In this case, family history becomes a dominate factor in an individual’s risk of becoming a drug user. Other factors can also include affiliation with drug abusing friends or peers. In any case there are a number of factors that can easily become a launching pad for drug use and escalating abuse in young
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people. (Helping America’s Youth; Introduction to Risk Factors and Protective Factors, 2008)
In short, risk and protective factors (also commonly referred to as mediating and moderating variables) have been defined as “a characteristic of individuals, families, schools, or communities that has been shown to be statistically associated with the probability of involvement with drugs.” (Guide to Risk Factor and Outcome Instruments, 1999). They are the factors most associated with increases in drug use, teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence. (Channing and Bete Company, Inc.). Risk factors are generally categorized into four (4) domains. The following summarize these domains and their key indicators:
Community Data Source • Availability of alcohol and other drugs Indiana State Liquor Licenses • Availability of firearms • Community laws and norms favorable
to drug use, firearms and crime • Transitions and mobility • Low neighborhood attachment • Media portrayals of violence • Extreme economic deprivation U.S. Census 2000, 2005 School • Academic failure beginning in late Indiana Dept. of Education elementary school • Lack of commitment to school Family • Family history of the problem behavior • Family management problems • Family conflict • Favorable parental attitudes and
involvement in problem behaviors Individual / Peer • Early persistent anti-social behavior • Rebelliousness • Friends who engage in the problem
behavior • Favorable attitudes toward the problem
behavior • Gang involvement Lake County HIDTA Report • Constitutional factors
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In this section we intend to profile targeted Lake County communities based upon measurable indices of identified risk factors.
1.6 Risk Factors – Community
In profiling community level risk factors, we will explore data from two (2) distinct areas: 1. Economy and / or Economic Deprivation; and 2. Availability / Use of Alcohol
ECONOMY Of the nearly 370,000 Lake County residents aged 16 and over, almost 231, 000 are in the labor force. There are nearly 18,000 work eligible, unemployed persons in Lake County. Of that number, nearly 13,000 reside in North Lake County.
Nearly 40,000 Lake County residents work in manufacturing, nearly 43,000 work in education, health and social services and almost 26,000 work in retail.
Of the 181.589 Lake County households, 38,343 earn annual household incomes of between $50,000 and $75,000. In addition, just over 30,000 households earn between $35,000 and $50,000 annually.
Almost 19,000 Lake County households earn less than $10,000 annually. Of that number, nearly 14,000 of those households are located in North Lake County. The median annual household in Lake County is just below $42,000.
There are nearly 18,000 Lake County residents earning $100,000 or more annually. Of that number, only 2,000 reside in Gary, less than 600 live in East Chicago and fewer than 1,400 reside in Hammond. In
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contrast, nearly 10 percent of those living in Crown Point earn $100,000 or more annually.
Lake County Community Income Profile
The overall per capita income in Lake County is just below $20,000 however Gary has the lowest per capita income at less than $15,000 annually.
Among Lake County male earners, the overall average income is just below $42,000 annually. In Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, the annual corresponding numbers are just $34,992, $35,778 and $32,588 respectively. In comparison, the average Crown Point male earns over $50,000 annually.
Among Lake County female earners, the overall average income is just over $26,000 annually. In Gary, Hammond and East Chicago the annual corresponding earning numbers for females are $24,432, $21,678 and $25,180 respectively. In comparison to their male counterparts, Crown Point women do not enjoy as wide a disparity over their northern female
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contemporaries. The average female in Crown Point earns just below $27,000 annually.
AVAILABILITY OF ALCOHOL The following represents the number of liquor license permits by community currently issued in Lake County:
Rank Lake County Liquor Licenses 9 Cedar Lake 48 3 Crown Point 104 7 Dyer 58 5 East Chicago 81 2 Gary 128 15 Griffith 32 1 Hammond 147 10 Highland 48 8 Hobart 56 19 Lake Station 0 14 Lowell 32 4 Merrillville 95 13 Munster 34 18 New Chicago 2 6 Schererville 66 16 Schneider 4 17 Shelby 2 11 St. John 40 12 Whiting 37
1.7 Risk Factors - Education
At the last U.S. Census, there were just under 131,000 school aged children aged 3 and over in Lake County Indiana. However, rapid population shifts have occurred among school aged children since the release of the last Census data. For example there are currently less than 14,000 children enrolled in Gary schools, while there were over 30,000 listed in the last census.
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At last census count, there were 30,525 students in grades 9 through 12 and 24,644 college and graduate school students. Interestingly, of these nearly 25,000 college students, nearly 15,000 resided in North Lake County.
In a recent Johns Hopkins University study assessing national graduation rates, schools in Gary, East Chicago and Hammond were listed among schools the study dubbed as ‘ drop-out factories” These dubious distinctions underscore the tremendous challenges facing north Lake County schools in which current graduation rates in some schools are below 50%. This equates to more students leaving school prematurely than are graduating with diplomas for many of these schools.
2006-07 School Year Drop Exp- School Districts Enrollment Out Suspended Expelled DWA* Hammond 14,511 55 3,460 207 93 Gary 14,731 77 2,908 14 108 Lake Ridge 2,310 20 426 26 18 Crown Point 7,004 23 500 61 51 East Chicago 6,026 103 1,747 121 66 Merrillville 7,173 58 1,268 43 50 Lake County Avg. 5,628 56.0 1,718.2 78.7 64.3
* - Expulsions and Suspensions Involving Drugs, Weapons or Alcohol Indiana Department of Education Annual Performance Reports
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More than most, these key risk factors will bare considerable relevance later in this report in measuring both consumption and consequence patterns for youth throughout Lake County.
Still, overall in Lake County, over 80% of the total population has a high school diploma or higher. This is slightly beneath the Indiana state average. In the age 25 and over population, there are just over 310,000 persons. Within this segment of the population, just below 20,000 persons have less than a 9th grade formal education.
Just over 40,000 persons have matriculated between grades nine and twelve but have no high school diplomas. In addition, there are just below 116,000 high school graduates in Lake County with higher per capita ratios of graduates existing in South Lake County as opposed to North Lake County. However, North Lake County has a sizable college attendee population.
At last Census Count, just over 33,000 Lake County residents had Bachelor’s degrees and nearly 17,000 persons held graduate degrees.
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1.8 Risk Factors – Individual Peer
According to the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area report released through the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Drug Intelligence Center, gangs, specifically those with ties to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO’s), represent the primary source of drug distribution in Lake County. Their report communicates this threat as follows:
“Street gang members are the primary retail distributors of illicit drugs in Lake County and are responsible for the high level of drug-related crimes committed in metropolitan areas of the HIDTA region, specifically Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago...
Members of street gangs such as Gangster Disciples, Imperial Gangsters, Vice Lords, and Latin Kings obtain wholesale quantities of powder cocaine from Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO’s) and convert most of it to crack for retail distribution in metropolitan areas. They also distribute retail-level quantities of heroin and marijuana that they obtain from Mexican DTOs. Street gangs in Lake County rely on drug distribution as their primary source of revenue. As such, they are protective of their distribution territories and sometimes resort to violence if they believe that another dealer is infringing on their area. Lake County-based street gangs, which have an estimated 2,500 members, vary in their degree of organization and sophistication. Most are loose affiliations of young people joined for fraternal purposes and the generation of income through drug distribution. However, a few street gangs are highly structured and organized. The most organized street gangs are located in East Chicago, where some have been linked directly to DTOs in Mexico. Further, East Chicago street gangs are more likely than other gangs in the Lake County HIDTA region to use sophisticated communication and counter-surveillance techniques.” (NDIC, 2007).
This key risk factor, in addition to the education information documented above, will both bare considerable relevance to the results of this study.
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Section 2: Methods
This report details alcohol and drug consumption and consequences for Lake County residents. Specifically assessing alcohol use (lifetime, current and binge drinking) for Lake County youth (residents under age 18) and young adults (residents between the age 18 and 25), this report seeks to compare usage and consequence patterns with those of Lake County and its constituent communities (i.e. Merrillville, Crown Point, Gary, East Chicago, Hammond, etc.), the State of Indiana and the United States, in general. Lastly, this report summarizes identified use and consequence trends for marijuana and cocaine, and offers statistical support for drug growth areas in Lake County.
For state and national analysis, we relied significantly upon the worthy effort of the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) report, The Consumption and Consequences of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs in Indiana: A State Epidemiological Profile. For this reason, many of the citations and references to this data have origins from this report’s acquisition and analysis. Our community data was also derived largely from our own efforts to both survey, assess and report the results of area consumption patterns as well as the detailed crime reports of the participating police departments throughout Lake County as reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
It is worthy to note that both of these efforts were significantly enhanced by the support of Calumet College of St. Joseph’s Public Safety Institute. Thus, information gleaned from crime reports, Calumet College implemented middle and high school surveys, and the state’s efforts make up the substance of materials analyzed herein.
Prevalence rates and offense indexes were modeled on these prior efforts and are consistent with accepted national standards.
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Data
Our principal goal in reporting this information is to assess Lake County as a whole, specifically as it rates and relates to the State of Indiana usage and consequence patterns, and ultimately to preexisting national trends. In doing this, we found significant usage patterns between the Northern and Southern areas of the county. Consequently, it was determined that the best method with which to communicate the use and consequence data for alcohol (and other choice areas of focus) is by region (North, South, Mid-County) of incidence, versus overall county indices.
As in any effort of this size and scope, there are a number of mentionable strengths and weakness within each of these reported data sources and their resulting application. Most notably, in the area of identifying consumption patterns, we implemented the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (CDC) first-year survey instrument wherein which no pre-existing pattern of use had been established. These surveys were taken of at least two (2) middle schools and at least one (1) high school from East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, and Lake Ridge / Calumet. We were able to obtain the results of the 2007 survey of the Merrillville School Corporation implemented by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC) to compare the answers to equivalent questions regarding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, among other data. To insure balance, we also obtained survey responses from area GED programs (Gary and Hammond) and at least one (1) at-risk youth educational program (Campagna Academy).
Each school district received 300 surveys, with over 95% being returned in a condition worthy of analysis. GED and at-risk programs received and returned a similar percentage of 100 surveys each.
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The following is a list of the data sources used in this report in a format for comparison.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Survey
• Description: 2007 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey was developed by the Center for Disease Control and was administered, processed and reported by the Public Safety Institute of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Distinct reports were administered and collected from both middle and high school students to assess youth risk behavior for alcohol, drug, health, safety and other key behavioral factors. Survey results are compared with results from the Monitoring the Future Survey (see below) conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the ATOD survey conducted by IPRC. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: Lake County SPF-SIG, Calumet College of St. Joseph, Whiting, Indiana • Geographic Level: County • Availability: Detailed reports have been made available to participating schools • Trend: 2007-08 school year; to be performed annually • Strengths/ Weaknesses: School-specific survey results are of value to the Lake County SPF-SIG, but approval of use is at the discretion of the local participating schools. This was the first year this instrument was implemented in Lake County Schools.
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Uniform Crime Record (UCR) Reporting Program: Local-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data
• Description: The UCR program provides a countywide view of crime based on the submission of statistics by local law enforcement agencies. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: Lake County Police Department/SUMMIT 4.5 BY Spillman Technologies, Inc., and all local police departments • Geographic Level: County, Local • Availability: Reports were either collected from local police departments or accessed via the SUMMIT 4.5 system by Lake County SPF-SIG and the Lake County Drug Free Alliance. • Trend: 2006, 2007 • Strengths/Weaknesses: Reporting of UCR data is inconsistent across some departments. UCR data did not distinguish people of Hispanic or cultures other than Black, White or Asian. Age grouping for offenses were defined as “18-24”, “25-29”, “30-34”, etc., not allowing for the determination of the 18-25 year old offense segmentation. For these measurements we utilized the “18-24” and “25 and older” sub-groupings.
Center for Urban Policy and the Environment 15 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
• Description: The BRFSS is a state health survey that monitors risk behaviors related to chronic diseases, injuries, and death. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH)
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• Geographic Level: National, state, county level data from ISDH on special request • Availability: National and state data are available from the CDC website (http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/). • Trend: 1995–2003 • Strengths/ Weaknesses: Availability at the county level, but minority data are available only for larger counties
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents Survey (ATOD)
• Description: The Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC) administers this survey regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among children and adolescents (6th through 12th graders) in a number of schools throughout Indiana. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: IPRC / DMHA • Geographic Level: Local • Availability: Data acquired directly from the school • Trend: 2006-07 School Year • Strengths/ Weaknesses: School-specific survey results are of value to the Lake County SPF-SIG, but approval of use is at the discretion of the local participating schools.
Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS)
• Description: YTS was developed by the CDC for use by states to design, implement, and evaluate the youth component of comprehensive tobacco control programs. YTS collects data from students in grades 6–12 regarding all types of tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, access to tobacco products, knowledge and attitudes, media
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and advertising, school curriculum and cessation. YTS is the established standard in youth tobacco surveillance in the U.S. and Indiana and is critical to state tobacco control programs. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Geographic Level: State • Availability: Detailed reports and highlights are available from ITPC at www.in.gov/itpc/research.asp • Trend: 2000, 2002, 2004, planned for Fall 2006 • Strengths/ Weaknesses: The YTS provides detailed statewide information regarding youth knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. However, local-level data are not available.
Monitoring the Future
• Description: Monitoring the Future is an ongoing study of youth behaviors, attitudes, and values. Annually, approximately 50,000 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades are surveyed. Follow-up surveys are distributed to a sample of each graduating class for a number of years after initial participation. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) , National Institutes of Health (NIH) • Geographic Level: National • Availability: Data tables are available at http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/data/05data/pr05t1.pdf • Trend: 1975–2005 • Strengths/ Weaknesses: One limitation of the survey design is that the target population does not include students who drop out of high school before graduation.
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National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
• Description: This survey provides information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use and abuse in the general population (age 12 and older). • Sponsoring Organization/Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies (OAS) • Geographic Level: National; sub-state data are available using small area estimation techniques • Availability: National and state data tables available at the NSDUH website at http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh.htm • Trend: 1994–2003; State estimates are available for 1999– 2003 • Strengths/ Weaknesses: Publicly available NSDUH data sets do not include state indicators and therefore do not allow for in-depth comparisons of Indiana and U.S. patterns of consumption.
Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program: County- Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data
• Description: The UCR program provides a nationwide view of crime based on the submission of statistics by local law enforcement agencies throughout the country. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: United State Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • Geographic Level: National, state, and county • Availability: County-level counts of reported crime are downloadable from the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data website (http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD/ucr.html). • Trend: 1994–2002
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• Strengths/ Weaknesses: Reporting of UCR data by jurisdictions across the state is often less than 100%.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
• Description: This national survey monitors health risks and behaviors among youth in grades 9 through 12. • Sponsoring Organization/Source: CDC and ISDH • Geographic Level: National, state • Availability: National and state-level data are downloadable from selected published tables on the CDC website at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/ • Trend: Every other year from 1991 through 2005; Indiana data are available for 2003 and 2005 • Strengths/ Weaknesses: At the state level, data by ethnicity (Hispanic) are not available.
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Section 3: Executive Summary
In 2007, The Lake County Drug Free Alliance was granted the responsibility of implementing the State’s Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG). The Local Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (LEOW), a data-centered, research arm of this endeavor, began exploring epidemiological data on use patterns and consequences of alcohol-related (and other) substance abuse in Lake County. Information gleaned from this study presented a number of prevalence patterns for go-forward strategic consideration, as well as a number of recommendations for improving this collaborative research effort in subsequent years.
In developing this information, we investigated varied resources and data sources on consumption patterns and consequences of alcohol and other drug use, specifically marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and tobacco. Consistent with the state’s efforts and prevailing national studies, we relied upon a number of publicly available and generally well respected data sources. These include:
• the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) • the Uniform Criminal Record • the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents Survey (ATOD) • the Monitoring the Future Survey • the National Survey on Drug Use and Health • the National Youth Tobacco Survey • the Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey • the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
The analyses in this first year, due to grant and time restrictions, focused principally on the YRBSS Survey (administered via Calumet College of St. Joseph’s Public Safety Institute). Also, due to the strategic
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availability of and universal acceptance of UCR data through the Lake County Sheriff’s office, we relied heavily on this source of information as reported through local policing affiliates.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
With the exception of East Chicago youth, Lake County students (ages 12 – 18) as a whole ranked significantly lower than both state (43.63%) and national (49.94%) percentages (according to the YRBSS) when reporting current use (usage within the last 30 days) alcohol consumption patterns. Of those focus school districts included in this initial study (Gary – 29.41%, Hammond – 41.48%, Merrillville – 32.91%, and Calumet – 41.67%), each scored below state and national averages in reported current alcohol use. East Chicago students, a consistent statistical outlier in this study, reported a current alcohol percentage use (74.32%) significantly above state and national averages. Reported data for all districts indicated a peak at the 11th grade (36.2%), followed closely by 10th and 12th graders (33.4%), and later 9th graders (28.7%).
In measuring lifetime exposure (any level of alcohol use), this study assessed both middle and high school students throughout the county. This data proved statistically revealing as well. Of area middle school youth, regional lifetime use percentages averaged 47.3%, with East Chicago middle school students significantly above average at 74.3%. High school students reported a regional lifetime use percentage average of 65.4% with East Chicago again reporting a significantly higher exposure percentage of 87.85%.
Additionally, according to our analysis of reported data, middle school students (6th – 8th grades) had the greatest percentage of change (+57.4%). However, data did indicate an unusually high introduction rate between the 10th and 12th grades (33.6%), with an average decrease between 8th and 10th grades of -12.6%.
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Lastly, Lake County youth also averaged below state (21.79%) and national (22.2%) averages in binge drinking with an average measure of 21.49% among focus districts. Again the period between 8th and 10th grades proved to be periods of greatest percentage change of exposure (+100%), followed closely behind by 10th to 12th grades (33.8%). Binge drinking is defined as having five (5) or more drinks during one sitting.
YOUTH ALCOHOL CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS
As with any drug, there are consequences to usage. Using detailed Uniform Crime Record (UCR) police reports of alcohol related incidences of the focus communities within Lake County, we first compared Lake County’s prevalence rates with that of Indiana and the United States in general. This data was compared for the corresponding years of 2001— 2003 for each area. For the purposes of this inaugural report, we chose to focus principally on Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Public Intoxication (most commonly reported as Drunkenness) and Liquor Law Violations. Secondly, we measured these same instances for each of the focus communities in Lake County (Gary, East Chicago, Hammond, Merrillville and Crown Point). This data was compared to more recent information gleaned from the 2006—2007 UCR reports for each area.
In assessing DUI arrest reports, Lake County (3.69) consistently measured below state (6.01) and national (4.16) measures for the years 2001-2003. Within Lake County, South county communities (Merrillville - 161 and Crown Point – 177) averaged higher rates of occurrences than their north county counterparts (East Chicago – 106, Hammond – 69 and Gary – 55). Also of interest between the two areas of the region was the average age of the offenders. In the North, the percentage of arrests attributed to those 18 – 24 years of age was approximately 11% (Gary – 10%, Hammond – 10% and East Chicago -14%). For the south, this same age group was responsible for approximately 28%, a difference of a little more than 96 arrests per year.
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Regional Public Intoxication arrest averages for 2001-2003 were also lower for Lake County (1.68) than for the nation (1.71), and was nearly half that of state averages (3.4). East Chicago (407) logged a much higher arrest average than other focus communities (Merrillville – 184, Hammond – 148, Crown Point – 99 and Gary – 59). The age of offenders proved to be a distinguisher again between the north and south counties. Young adults (18-24) committed an average of 15% of these offenses (Gary – 13%, Hammond 16%, and East Chicago – 16%) in northern communities versus 30% of this same demographic in south county (Merrillville – 24% and Crown Point – 35%).
Lastly, Lake County again measured significantly below state (2.76) and national (2.11) measures in Liquor Law Violations, logging an average of 1.59 among focus communities. Violators for Lake County were overwhelmingly young adults between the ages of 18-24 (88%) and male (80%).
OTHER DRUGS CONSUMPTION AND CONSEQUENCES
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for approximately one of every five deaths (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 2006). Indiana’s efforts toward the prevention and treatment of tobacco use are well documented. For this reason, tobacco usage was not deemed a strategic part of the Indiana SPF-SIG program. However, for Lake County youth, marijuana use (18.54%) has now surpassed cigarette usage (15.03%) currently among local high school students.
According the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis, crack cocaine distribution poses the greatest drug threat to the Lake County region and commercial-grade marijuana is the most widely available and abused illicit drug in Lake County. (NDIC, 2007)
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Although there are modest increases in alcohol and tobacco usage from 9th to 12th grade, this same grade period experiences an almost epidemic rise in exposure to and consumption of marijuana (9th – 28.18 to 12th – 41.78) and a steady incline in the introduction to cocaine (9th – 3.80 to 12th – 6.43). See Figure 5.1.1 on page 49.
These two areas represent an average usage increase of 58.7% (marijuana – 48.3%, cocaine – 69.1%), more than any other two drugs. See Figure 5.1.2. It is because of this growth and the impact of resulting consequences that we’ve included this supplemental section to this study. The results of this data begin in Section 5.
Even further, where alcohol consequence data revealed significant arrest demographic data between north and south county communities, the same distinction can be seen in other drug consequence data. However, this information is largely in reverse. Northern communities represented nearly 90% (88.6%) or 738 arrests of focus community drug violation arrests (arrest for the sale / manufacture of illegal drugs). Moreover, southern offenders continued to be predominately young adults (62.5%) between the ages of 18 and 24 while the majority offenders in north county communities were over the age of 25 (60.3%).
Race, age and geography proved to be the most telling indicators for marijuana and cocaine possession arrests, with 75% of marijuana arrests and 93% of all arrests for focus communities taking place in northern communities. For marijuana possession, 71.5% of offenders in southern communities were young adults between the ages of 18 and 24, versus a less severe 60% for northern communities. Blacks constituted over 60% of all marijuana arrests and 57.3% of all cocaine arrests in communities wherein which they constitute the minority population (East Chicago, Hammond and Merrillville).
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Section 4: Alcohol Use in Lake County Consumption Patterns and Consequences
4.1 General Consumption Patterns
Alcohol is the most frequently used drug in both Indiana and the United States according to the State’s Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup report, The Consumption and Consequences of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs in Indiana: A State Epidemiological Profile. They further quote the 2004 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, or NSDUH (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, 2006) in estimating that 47.37% of Indiana residents 12 years of age or older had used alcohol during the past month. This translates to 2,403,000 Indiana residents currently consuming alcoholic beverages.
Our efforts for Lake County were principally targeted to area youth (6th – 12th graders) and young adults (ages 18 – 25). To accomplish this, the Lake County SPF-SIG program in conjunction with Calumet College of St. Joseph (Whiting, IN) issued the Youth Behavioral Surveillance System, or YRBSS (CDC, 2007) survey to area schools (middle and high school) in focus communities throughout Lake County including East Chicago, Gary, Hammond and Lake Central. Data was also sought from GED programs (Gary and Hammond) and an at-risk youth program (Campagna Academy). Similar data for the Merrillville schools (6th-12th) was gleaned from the IPRC / DMHA issued ATOD survey. Data from GED / at-risk program results were omitted and will be applied to future studies.
Two dominant alcohol consumption patterns were recommended for study by the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup’s (SEOW’s) Epidemiological Profile and the Governor’s Advisory Council’s (GAC’s) Strategic Plan.
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1. Youth and Young Adult Consumption Patterns and Consequences 2. Young Adult Binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns and consequences.
According to the NSDUH, binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages over a very short time. Being at risk for heavy drinking refers to consuming five or more alcoholic beverages at one time at least once a week.
Our approach proved to be two-fold. Youth and Young Adult Consumption patterns would be measured in a manner consistent with the accepted methods and data of the SEOW’s efforts. Reported consumption patterns of regional youth were assessed via the methods detailed above. Consequence analysis was measured for both Young Adults (18-24) and for the general population 25 years of age and older. Consequence data for youth (juvenile crime data) and consumption patterns for young adults (regional surveys) were not included as a part of this initial study.
The results of this analysis are presented in the following pages.
YOUTH CURRENT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
According the student responses to the YRBSS, an average of 39.46% reported that they had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days with Hammond (41.48%) and Calumet (41.67%) reporting slightly higher usage levels than Merrillville (32.91%), Gary (29.41%). East Chicago reported the highest percentage of use with over half (51.85%) of students reporting current alcohol use. The regional percentage average however is significantly lower than the 2001-2004 averages reported for the nation (49.94%) and the state (43.63%). See figure 4.1.1.
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Where data is available for 2003-2006 ATOD usage, estimates of current alcohol usage patterns continues to increase from the 9th grade (average 28.7) and peaks at the 11th grade (36.2). Use (on average) declines to 10th grade levels (33.4) by the 12th grade, all of which is slightly higher than the combined national average of 32.43% of students in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. See figure 4.1.2
Our analysis reveals the greatest percentage of usage change is from the 9th to 10th grades (+16.5%) which nearly doubles that of the 10th to 11th grade increase (+8.4%) and is significantly higher than the decline experienced from 11th to 12th grade (-7.6%). See figure 4.1.3.
YOUTH LIFETIME CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
According to the student responses to the YRBSS, an average of 52.7% of area middle school students reported that they had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in their lifetime, with Lake Ridge (49.0) and Merrillville (48.3) reporting slightly higher usage levels than Hammond (47.9) and Gary (43.8). Nearly three-quarters of this same population of middle school students in East Chicago reported lifetime alcohol usage (74.32%). See figure 4.1.4.
As anticipated, area high schools reported significantly higher consumption levels than that of middle schools (Hammond - 68.18, Calumet – 71.88, Merrillville 62.00, Gary – 59.57) with all averaging lifetime alcohol exposure at 69.9%. East Chicago, again reported a staggering lifetime alcohol exposure percentage of 87.85%. (See figure 4.1.5) Where data is available for 2003-2006, ATOD estimates show that lifetime alcohol usage patterns continues to increase from the 6th grade (average 36.7) and peaks at the 11th grade (69.6). See figure 4.1.6.
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Our analysis reveals the greatest percentage of usage change is from the 6th to 8th grades (+57.4%), a significant increase when compared to the average decline between 8th and 10th grades (-12.6%). Consumption patterns again spike between 10th and 12th grades (33.6%), and again peaks during the 11th grade, with 69% of students reporting a lifetime occurrence of alcohol. See figure 4.1.7.
YOUTH BINGE DRINKING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
Similar to the SEOW’s profile, we compared the percentages of Indiana and U.S. youth who reported binge drinking using the YRBSS, NSDUH, MTF, and ATOD. The average percentage of Lake County youth participating in the YRBSS who reported at least one episode of binge drinking in the past month was 22.17%, with Calumet (25.95%) and East Chicago (25.93%) students reporting the highest percentage use. Hammond (20.90%) and Merrillville (22.77%) reported statistically similar instances, whereas Gary reported significantly lower occurrences of binge drinking. The average percentage of binge drinking reported by participants nationally (22.2%) were statistically similar to Indiana’s average (22.17%). See figure 4.1.8.
Analysis reveals the greatest percentage change of use is from the 8th to 10th grades (+100.0%), although there remains an occurrence increase from the 10th to the 12th grade (33.8%). See figure 4.1.9.
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Figure 4.1.1
Lake County Current Alcohol Consumption by Community as compared with National and State Averages (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 4.1.2
Lake County Current Alcohol Consumption by Grade (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 4.1.3
Current Alcohol Consumption Percentage Change as Reported by area High School Students (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 4.1.4
Lifetime Alcohol Consumption as Reported by area Middle Schools in Lake County (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 4.1.5
Lifetime Alcohol Consumption as Reported by area High Schools in Lake County (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 4.1.6
Lifetime Alcohol Consumption by Grade as Reported by area students in Lake County (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 4.1.7
Lifetime Alcohol Consumption Percentage Change as Reported by area High School Students (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 4.1.8
U.S., Indiana and Lake County Binge Drinking Consumption Patterns (YRBSS Survey: CDC, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 4.1.9
Lake County Binge Drinking Consumption Patterns by Grade as Reported by area students (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 4.1.10
Binge Drinking Alcohol Consumption Percentage Change as Reported by area High School Students (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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4.2 Alcohol Consequence Analysis
Alcohol has become an accepted part of American social life. However, many forget that alcohol remains the most frequently used drug in the United States. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, 2006) As with any drug, there are consequences to its usage. The previous section detailed Lake County and Indiana’s consistency in usage patterns. Unfortunately, this trend continues in Lake County’s consequence measures.
Using the detailed Uniform Crime Record (UCR) from Lake County police reports of alcohol related incidences within the focus communities (Gary, East Chicago, Hammond, Merrillville and Crown Point), we first compared county prevalence rates with that of Indiana and the United States, in general. This data was compared for corresponding years of 2001—2003 for each area. For the purposes of this inaugural report, we chose to focus principally on Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Pubic Intoxication (most commonly reported as Drunkenness) and Liquor Law Violations. Secondly, we measured these same instances for each of the focus communities. This data was compared to more recent information gleaned from 2006—2007 UCR reports for each area.
In comparison to state and national DUI indices, Lake County consistently measured below both state and national measures and averaged more than 10% below national averages and over 60% below that of the state. For Public Intoxication incidents, Lake County similarly reported below state and national measures. However, there was only a 2% difference between that of Lake County and the U.S. as a whole, whereas the difference between the county and the state was over 100%. As it relates to Liquor Law Violations, Lake County again measured lower on average than both the U.S. and the state with measures of 33% and 74% below each respective area. See Figure 4.2.1.
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For the local communities, these measures proved to be more distinct.
In measuring regional DUI arrests for 2006—2007, East Chicago and Merrillville reported the most consistent occurrences averaging 106 and 161 arrests respectively. Crown Point reported the highest number of incidents in 2007 of 260, a 180% increase of the prior year’s number of reports of 93. Of further interest, with respect to Crown Point’s numbers, there were nearly as many DUI incidents reported for individuals ages 18-24 (45%) as there were for those over the age of 25 (51%). Hammond and Gary each reported the lowest consistent DUI arrests with averages of 69 and 55 respectively. It is also worthy of note that each community with the exception of Crown Point logged an average decrease of 10% in the number of arrests from 2006-2007. See Figure 4.2.2.
Information is not available on the event(s) (tactical or otherwise) that may have contributed to the abnormally high increase in reported incidents in Crown Point.
DUI arrests also indicated a distinction between Northern and Southern communities arrest rates. Averages for Northern communities (Gary- 10%, Hammond-10%, and East Chicago-14%) indicated that approximately 11% of those arrested for driving under the influence were between the ages of 18 and 24. However, in Southern communities, (Crown Point-31%, Merrillville-24%) this figure averaged 28%, a difference of a little more than 96 arrests per year (96.2). All communities indicated consistent consequence patterns between male and female offenders, with all close to the regional average of 85% and 15% respectively. See Figure 4.2.2.
Regional Public Intoxication Reports again were consistently higher for East Chicago and Merrillville than the other communities with East Chicago averaging significantly higher arrest rates (407 per year) than Merrillville (184 per year). Hammond logged the same number of
Lake County Drug Free Alliance | 2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile 47
incident reports for each year at 148, whereas Crown Point and Gary averaged 99 and 59 incidents each year, respectively.
For Public Intoxication, each community experienced nominal changes from 2006 to 2007 with the lone exceptions being Gary which experienced a 26% decrease and Crown Point which registered a 30% increase. Data again revealed a distinction between Northern and Southern community arrest rates in this area. Northern communities (Gary-13%, Hammond-16%, and East Chicago-16%) indicated 2006-07 arrest averages of approximately 15% for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. For Southern communities (Crown Point-35%, Merrillville-24%), arrest averages were at 30%, double that of its northern counterparts. Arrest rates were consistently male and generally consistent with racial demographics. See Figure 4.2.3 and 4.2.4.
Lastly, when analyzing Liquor Law Violation for each focus community, there exist marked distinctions between south county communities (Merrillville and Crown Point) and north county communities (Gary, East Chicago and Hammond) in reported incidents. Northern communities reported and average 4.5 incidents per year (Gary – 3.5, East Chicago – 5.5 and Hammond – 4.5). While Merrillville reported a consistent number of incidents of 13 in 2006 and 15 in 2007, this is an average increase of over 200% from that of north county. Even more telling, Crown Point reported 82 incidents in 2006 and 92 incidences in 2007 (avg. 87), seventy-three (73) more than Merrillville and (82.5) more than north county averages.
Liquor Law violations were committed overwhelming by young adults between the ages of 18 – 24 (88%) and by males with a regional average of nearly 80%. East Chicago indicated an unusually high female arrest rate in this area with a 2006-07 averages of 45%.
These regional differences are presented in Maps 4.2.2, 4.2.4 and 4.2.6.
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Figure 4.2.1
DUI Arrest Rates per 1,000 of Adult Population (18 and Older) in Lake County, Indiana and the United States (Uniform Crime Reports 2001-2003)
Figure 4.2.2
DUI Arrest Rates per 1,000 of Adult Population (18 and Older) in Lake County (Uniform Crime Record 2006-2007)
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Figure 4.2.3
Public Intoxication Arrest Rates per 1,000 of Adult Population (18 and Older) in Lake County, Indiana and the United States (Uniform Crime Reports 2001-2003)
Figure 4.2.4
Public Intoxication Arrest Rates per 1,000 of Adult Population (18 and Older) in Lake County (Uniform Crime Record 2006-2007)
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Figure 4.2.5
Liquor Law Violation Rates per 1,000 of Adult Population (18 and Older) in Lake County, Indiana and the United States (Uniform Crime Reports 2001-2003)
Figure 4.2.6
Liquor Law Violation Rates per 1,000 of Adult Population (18 and Older) in Lake County (Uniform Crime Record 2006-2007)
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Figure 4.2.7
DUI Arrest Averages by Lake County Community (Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Uniform Crime Record, 2006-07)
E.C. [106] 2006-07 DUI Arrest Averages Gary 18-25 26+ [55] Hamm [69] East Chicago 14% 86% Hammond 10% 90% Crown Point 31% 69% Gary 10% 90% Merrillville 24% 76%
2006-07 DUI Arrest Averages Male Female Merr East Chicago 90% 10% [161] Hammond 86% 14% Crown Point 77% 23% Gary 87% 13% Merrillville 85% 15%
2006-07 DUI Arrest Averages C.P. [177] White Black East Chicago 71% 29% Hammond 71% 29% Crown Point 98% 2% Gary 25% 75% Merrillville 68% 32%
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Figure 4.2.8
Public Intoxication Arrest by Lake County Community (Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Uniform Crime Record, 2006-07)
E.C. [407] 2006-07 Public Intox. Arrest Averages 18-25 26+ East Chicago 16% 84% Gary Hammond 16% 84% [59] Hamm Crown Point 35% 65% [148] Gary 13% 87% Merrillville 24% 76%
2006-07 Public Intox. Arrest Averages Male Female East Chicago 84% 16% Hammond 84% 16% Merr Crown Point 85% 15% [183] Gary 86% 14% Merrillville 82% 18%
2006-07 Public Intox. Arrest Averages White Black C.P. East Chicago 54% 46% [99] Hammond 73% 27% Crown Point 97% 3% Gary 13% 87% Merrillville 60% 40%
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Figure 4.2.9
Liquor Law Violation Arrest by Lake County Community (Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Uniform Crime Record, 2006-07)
E.C. [5.5] 2006-07 Liquor Law Violations Averages 18-25 26+ Gary East Chicago 91% 9% Hamm [3.5] Hammond 67% 33% [4.5] Crown Point 99% 1% Gary 86% 14% Merrillville 96% 4%
2006-07 Liquor Law Violations Averages Male Female East Chicago 55% 45%
Merr Hammond 89% 11% [14] Crown Point 65% 35% Gary 71% 29% Merrillville 89% 11%
2006-07 Liquor Law Violations Averages White Black C.P. [86] East Chicago 83% 17% Hammond 82% 18% Crown Point 98% 2% Gary 0% 100% Merrillville 68% 32%
54 2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile | Lake County Drug Free Alliance
Section 5: Drug Use in Lake County - Consumption Patterns
5.1 General Drug Use Consumption Patterns
The effects and consumption patterns of drugs in the lives of the American and indeed Hoosiers have been widely studied. This has resulted in ever increasing numbers of programs and preventative efforts aimed at reducing usage and increasing the quality of life. Lake County’s reported drug consumption patterns are herein presented as compared to both national and state rates, as well as a more detailed comparison by focus communities.
Lake County’s funded efforts, through the SPF-SIG process, are principally to study the effects of underage drinking and binge drinking on youth and young adults. The consumption patterns and consequences of these findings, specifically the distinctions between northern and southern quadrants of the county, proved to be quite revealing. However, equally revealing were the seeming reverse consumption patterns and consequences of other drugs, specifically marijuana and cocaine.
Although there are modest increases in alcohol and tobacco usage from the 9th to the 12th grade, this same grade period experiences an almost epidemic rise in exposure to and consumption of marijuana (9th – 28.18 to 12th – 41.78) and steady incline in the introduction to cocaine (9th – 3.80 to 12th – 6.43). See Figure 5.1.1 on page 49. These two areas represent an average usage increase of 58.7% (marijuana – 48.3%, cocaine – 69.1%), more than any other two drugs. See Figure 5.1.2 on page 49. It is because of this growth, and it’s resulting consequences impact, that we’ve included this supplemental section to this study.
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Figure 5.1.1
Average Lifetime Drug Use reported by 6th – 12th Graders in Lake County (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 5.1.2
Lake County High School (9th to 12th Grade) Reported Use Percentage Change (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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5.2 Marijuana Consumption Patterns
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, both in the United States and Indiana. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, 2006). This is also true in Northwest Indiana. In fact, current marijuana use (average - 18.54) surpasses local tobacco consumption averages (15.03) among area High Schools students. Even further, all targeted area high schools except Merrillville reported marijuana use is higher than that of tobacco (see Figure 5.2.1).
Further review has revealed that marijuana use spikes significantly upon entry into area high schools. While there are increases in reported lifetime usage levels from 6th (4.0%) to 7th (11.4%) grades, eighth (8th) grade lifetime use reported an overall decline (3.9%).
Lifetime usage from 8th to 9th grade (2003 – 2006 averages of 28.2) represents the greatest overall spike in usage of any drug in this report, a 627% increase. These lifetime usage level averages continue to increase through high school (10th – 37.5, 11th – 40.8, 12th - 41.8).
Even more, while the reported Lake County average for Lifetime exposure to marijuana is 12.8% for middle school students and 42.15% for high school students, there are significant deviations in the percentages for each school district. East Chicago students reported the highest percentage of incidence with 28.1% of middle school students and 57.8% of high school students reporting lifetime usage. See Figure 5.2.6.
These increases for target Lake County at area middle and high schools represent an average 309% increase in marijuana exposure. Although statistically one of the lowest usage districts in the county, Merrillville students reported the highest percentage change with 467%. They were followed closely behind by Gary (418%), Calumet (369%), Hammond (172%) and East Chicago (106%). See Figure 5.2.7.
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Current use of marijuana at area high schools proved to be consistently around area averages (18.54), while the Gary schools were a statistical outlier in lifetime usage at 42.55, 5.48 or 14.78% above regional averages. See Figure 5.2.8.
Using locally available UCR reports, we compared Lake County and its community prevalence rates for drug violations and marijuana possession arrests with state and national rates for the years 2006 and 2007. These differences are presented on pages 66–67.
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Figure 5.2.1
Current Use Comparison between Tobacco and Marijuana Reported by area High Schools (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007)
Figure 5.2.2
Lifetime Marijuana Use Reported by area High Schools (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 5.2.3
Lifetime Marijuana Use Percentage Change by Grade Classification (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 5.2.4
Average Reported Lifetime Marijuana Use by Area Middle Schools (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 5.2.5
Average Reported Lifetime Marijuana Use by Area High Schools (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 5.2.6
Reported Lifetime Marijuana Use by Area High Schools and Middle Schools Comparison (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 5.2.7
Reported Lifetime Marijuana Use Percentage Change from Middle School to High Schools (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 5.2.8
Average Reported Current Marijuana Use by Area High Schools (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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5.3 Cocaine Consumption Patterns
The Lake County SPF-SIG issued Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) Survey (CDC, 2007) and the annual Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use by Children and Adolescents in the State of Indiana (ATOD; Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC), 2003-2006) are based on non-random samples and may not be representative. However, the surveys provide us with a good estimate of substance use among regional school-aged children, grades 6 to 12.
These surveys show that when looking at lifetime usage, monthly cocaine and crack use in middle and high school students generally increases with age. Lowest rates of use were found among 6th graders, the youngest students surveyed.
Although Lake County (5.52) generally ranks below state (6.80) and national (7.60) lifetime use averages, area figures for current cocaine use (4.48) rank higher than both state (3.00) and national (3.40) usage levels.
Inside of Lake County, reported usage appears to peak between the 10th (4.4) and 11th (7.4) grades. See figure 5.3.2
Using locally available UCR reports, we compared Lake County and its community prevalence rates for drug violations and cocaine possession arrests with state and national rates for the years 2006 and 2007. These differences are presented on pages 69–70.
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Figure 5.3.1
Reported U.S., Indiana and Lake County Lifetime and Current Cocaine Usage by Area Middle and High Schools (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 5.3.2
Lifetime Cocaine Use by Grade Reported by Area Middle and High Schools (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Figure 5.3.3
Reported Lifetime Cocaine Use Percentage Change by area middle and high schools (ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
Figure 5.3.4
Lifetime Cocaine Use Reported by Area High School Students (YRBSS Survey: CDC 2007, ATOD Survey: IPRC 2003-2006)
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Section 6: Drug Use in Lake County – Consequence Analysis
As noted previously, the primary research focus of this epidemiological endeavor is alcohol consumption and consequences. However, when comparing consequence data as measured principally upon regional Uniform Crime Record (UCR) data, the distinctions within the region – North and South county – between alcohol and drug related arrests proved revealing and worthy of distinctive documentation in the report.
Using detailed Uniform Crime Record (UCR) from police reports, we evaluated three (3) categories of drug related offenses:
1) Drug Violations, measured as arrests for the manufacture and/or sale of illegal substances, specifically marijuana, cocaine, synthetics, and other drug related substances ;
2) Marijuana Possession
3) Cocaine Possession
The results of this analysis are presented in the following pages.
6.1 Drug Violations
In measuring arrests for Drug Violations for each of the focus communities (Gary, East Chicago, Hammond, Merrillville and Crown Point), we again evaluated data from 2006—2007 UCR reports for each community as reported by local policing units. For the local communities, these measures proved to be more distinct.
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Southern communities (Crown Point-26, Merrillville-60) logged significantly lower arrests rates than its Northern counterparts (Gary-234, Hammond-218, East Chicago-286) representing nearly 90% (88.6%) of arrests within the region. Equally compelling is that the age of the dominant number of offenders in each area differed significantly between the two areas. The majority of the offenders in Southern county were between the ages of 18 and 24 (Merrillville-58%, Crown Point-67%), while the majority of offenders in North county communities were over the age of 25 (Gary-67%, Hammond-61%, East Chicago-53%). Although Blacks make up the minority population, they make up the majority of offenders in Hammond (56%), East Chicago (67%) and Merrillville (58%).
These regional differences are represented in Maps 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 on pages 66–67 and are visually depicted on pages 44-46.
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Figure 6.1.1
Drug Violation Arrest Rates for Adults (18 and Older) in Lake County (Uniform Crime Record 2006-2007)
Figure 6.1.2
Drug Violation Arrest Rates for Adults (18 and Older) by Age in Lake County (Uniform Crime Record 2006-2007)
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Figure 6.1.2
Lake County Drug Violation Arrest by Community (Uniform Crime Record 2006-07)
E.C. Drug Violations 2007 2006 [5.5] Crown Point 39 13 Merrillville 48 73 Gary East Chicago 251 322 Hamm Hammond 221 215 [4.5] Gary 207 261
Drug Violations 18-25 26+ Crown Point 67% 24% Merrillville 58% 43% East Chicago 47% 53% Hammond 38% 61% Merr Gary 33% 67%
Drug Violations Male Female Crown Point 71% 29% Merrillville 83% 17% East Chicago 89% 11% Hammond 83% 17% C.P. Gary 84% 16%
Drug Violations White Black Crown Point 95% 5% Merrillville 42% 58% East Chicago 32% 67% Hammond 44% 56% Gary 8% 92%
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6.2 Marijuana Possession
According to federal UCR (2001-2003) reports, Lake County (.99) has consistently ranked significantly below both national (1.93) and state (2.17) averages for marijuana possession arrests. In fact, Lake County generally has experienced a decline in each of these reported years with an average decline of .21, versus the relatively marginal average decline of .05 of both national and state arrest rates.
Arrests for Marijuana Possession for each of the focus communities proved to be very telling once again based on data from 2006—2007 UCR reports for each community as reported by local policing units.
For the years 2006 and 2007, East Chicago registered nearly half of the total arrests for the focus communities (2006 - 45.7% and 2007 – 46.2%). All communities indicated an overall average decline from 2006 to 2007 of 41%, (East Chicago - 33.1%, Crown Point – 16.7%, Merrillville – 53.6%, Hammond 11.1% and Gary – 90.3%). Again age proved a key distinction between Northern and Southern communities, with the majority of offenders reported in South county being between 18 and 24 years of age (Merrillville - 77%, Crown Point - 66%). And although the majority of offenders in Northern county communities were also between the ages of 18 and 24, the gap was less severe (Gary - 53%, East Chicago - 55%), with Hammond reporting an equal number of offenders between 18 and 24 and those 25 and over.
Also, race again proved pivotal in reported arrests, as Blacks made up the majority offenders in each of the communities wherein they constitute the minority (except Crown Point – 6%), with measures of 57% in Merrillville, 66% in East Chicago and 57% in Hammond.
These regional differences are presented in Maps 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 on pages 66–67 and are visually depicted on pages 69-70.
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Figure 6.2.1
Lake County, Indiana and U.S. Marijuana Possession Arrest Rates, per 1,000 of the Population, 2001 to 2003 (Uniform Crime Reports, 2001–2003)
Figure 6.2.2
Lake County Marijuana Possession Arrest by Community (Uniform Crime Record, 2006–2007)
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Figure 6.2.3
Lake County Marijuana Possession Arrest by Community (Uniform Crime Record, 2006-2007)
E.C. Marijuana [5.5] Possession 2007 2006 Crown Point 24 28
Gary Merrillville 28 43 Hamm East Chicago 133 177 [4.5] Hammond 72 80 Gary 31 59
Marijuana Possession 18-25 26+ Crown Point 66% 34% Merrillville 77% 23% East Chicago 55% 45% Merr Hammond 50% 50% Gary 53% 47%
Marijuana Possession Male Female Crown Point 83% 17% C.P. Merrillville 93% 7% East Chicago 91% 9% Hammond 84% 16% Gary 83% 17%
Marijuana Possession White Black Crown Point 94% 6% Merrillville 43% 57% East Chicago 34% 66% Hammond 43% 57% Gary 7% 93%
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6.3 Cocaine Possession
Federal UCR (2001-2003) data indicates Lake County (0.33) cocaine arrest rates also consistently rank significantly below both national (1.08) and state (0.60) averages. Although Indiana as a whole, by these report standards, has consistently reported below national rates similar to marijuana rates. Lake County has experienced a consistent decline in each of these reported years with an average decline of 0.09, more than twice that of both national (-0.04) and state (-0.05) changes.
For the years 2006 and 2007, Gary reported nearly half of total arrests for the focus communities (2006 - 46.7% and 2007 – 43.6%). Northern communities averaged over 90% of these reported incidences (2006 – 93.3%, 2007 – 87.1%). All communities experienced a significant decline in 2007 (East Chicago – 34%, Hammond – 25% and Gary – 30%).
Blacks made up the majority of offenders in two of the communities wherein they constitute the minority (Merrillville - 63%, East Chicago - 67%). In Hammond, Blacks made up 42% of the reported arrests. There were no non-white arrests for cocaine in Crown Point.
These regional differences are presented in Maps 6.3.1 - 6.3.3 on pages 66–67, and are visually depicted on pages 72-73.
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Figure 6.3.1
Lake County, Indiana and U.S. Cocaine Possession Arrest Rates, per 1,000 of the Population, 2001 to 2003 (Uniform Crime Reports, 2001 – 2003)
Figure 6.3.2
Cocaine Possession Arrest by Lake County Community (Uniform Crime Record, 2006–2007)
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Figure 6.3.3
Cocaine Possession Arrest by Community (Uniform Crime Record, 2006 - 2007)
Cocaine Possession 2007 2006 E.C. Crown Point 2 1 [5.5] Merrillville 11 8 East Chicago 23 35 Hammond 21 28 Gary Hamm Gary 44 63 [4.5] Cocaine Possession 18-25 26+ Crown Point 33% 67% Merrillville 42% 58% East Chicago 35% 65% Hammond 26% 74% Gary 26% 74% Merr Cocaine Possession Male Female Crown Point 100% 0% Merrillville 84% 16% East Chicago 81% 19% Hammond 82% 18% C.P. Gary 89% 11%
Cocaine Possession White Black Crown Point 100% 0% Merrillville 37% 63% East Chicago 33% 67% Hammond 58% 42% Gary 11% 89%
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Section 7: Conclusion
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Based on the careful review of the information put forth in this 2008 Lake County Epidemiological Report, the Lake County SPF-SIG has identified a list of strategic targets that have present themselves as outliers of concern. The funded priority and principal focus of local efforts are to reduce underage drinking and binge drinking for young adults. This goal was built upon the premise that alcohol serves as a gateway drug and as such becomes the beach head for consequences, illegal and behavioral, stemming from its use.
The results of this study do not directly challenge this thesis. In fact, early alcohol use and / or abuse, specifically between the 8th and 10th grades, universally support this hypothesis region wide. However, this report also evidences patterns of use and criminal consequence regarding demographics and geography that add further direction and dimension in combating use and abuse of both legal and illegal substances in Lake County. Being such, the recommendations of this report will seek to posture tactics and solutions aimed at combating alcohol and drug abuse on all levels herein identified.
Prevent the first use of alcohol among 6th – 8th graders and reduce current use of alcohol among 11th graders county wide
Similarly to national and state trends, alcohol is the most frequently used substance in Lake County, and according to this report, in being the “first use” illegal substance, has become a “gateway” to more abusive and severe illegal substance abuse. In terms of the number of Lake County youth affected, alcohol abuse is clearly the most significant substance abuse problem in Lake County. This is notwithstanding the fact that state law stipulates that the legal age for drinking is 21.
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Lake County youth, specifically in south county, are averaging alcohol lifetime exposures levels of nearly 50% in regional middle schools and in some instances higher than 70% in regional high schools. According to assessed data, most youth between the 6th and 8th grades are experiencing their first instance of alcohol use during this pivotal point in their lives. Moreover, data reveals that current users continually increase usage as they matriculate through high school, with over 36% indicating current alcohol use by the 11th grade.
These trends are of particular concern because they also appear to contribute significantly to south county alcohol related incidence rates as well as the matriculation to marijuana and other drugs by north county residents.
We strongly recommend the development of collaborate marketing programs by drug prevention, treatment and law enforcement organizations so that the county communicates loudly, efficiently and with one voice on this most compelling of all local drug statistics. Universal messaging and communication region-wide should be strong and consistent. Our analysis reveals that the greatest percentage change of lifetime use – AND THE FIRST EXPOSURE TO ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE – is between the 6th and the 8th grade (57.4%). This time period being the launching pad for regional alcohol abuse, alcohol related crime, and other drug use and drug-related crime, time and tactic becomes the single most important considerations in reducing the overall use and effects of illegal substances in the Lake County.
Prevent the first use of marijuana and cocaine by 9th graders and reduce current use of alcohol among 11th graders county wide
Marijuana use in Lake County identified in this report proved staggering. It is commonly accepted that cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Due to pre-existing
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funding and program efforts such as the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation (ITPC) program, prevention programs and treatments in this area have become very well documented. Consequently, tobacco usage was not deemed a strategic part of the Indiana SPF-SIG program efforts. However, for Lake County youth, marijuana use (18.54%) has now surpassed cigarettes (15.03%) in current use among local high school students. Over 40% of these same students (42.15%) indicated lifetime exposure to marijuana statistically higher than both state (38.9%) and national (39.2%) averages. Apparently for regional youth, the drug of choice has changed.
Although there are modest increases in alcohol and tobacco usage from the 9th to the 12th grade, during this same grade period there is an almost epidemic rise in exposure to and consumption of marijuana (9th – 28.18 to 12th – 41.78) and a steady incline in the introduction to cocaine (9th – 3.80 to 12th – 6.43). However, the area of most significant rise is from 8th grade (3.88) to 9th grade (28.18). In one year, students reported a 627% increase in marijuana use!
These two areas represent an average usage increase of 58.7% (marijuana – 48.3%, cocaine – 69.1%), more than any other two drugs. It is because of this growth and its resulting consequential impact that we’ve included this supplemental section to this study.
It is clear that some strategic / tactical approach and resources must be directed to this effort. We recommend similar cooperation, commitment and messaging in addressing this area as keys to reducing the overall drug problem in Lake County. The Lake County SPF-SIG program and the Lake County Drug Free Alliance have both committed to working hard in the development of collaborative marketing programs with area drug prevention, treatment and law enforcement organizations so that the county again communicates loudly, efficiently and with one voice on this equally compelling local drug problem.
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Support independent study and build distinct community capacity to prevent underage alcohol and drug consumption patterns in East Chicago
Following the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) release of their 2007 analysis of Indiana youth alcohol and drug consumption patterns and consequences, a strategic plan was developed wherein Indiana counties were prioritized for funding and implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG). It was this effort and plan that resulted in this current initiative to study similar patterns and consequences in Lake County. The state’s efforts also identified East Chicago as a separate community worthy of study and implementation of the SPF-SIG initiative. This effort was undertaken by Geminus Corporation, a Lake County prevention organization, and was specifically structured to study the consumption patterns and consequences related to cocaine use.
Based on the results of this analysis of Lake County youth, we applaud and encourage this independent study and prevention effort for East Chicago.
According to our results, East Chicago youth reported over fifty percent current alcohol consumption (51.85%), registered lifetime alcohol exposure of 74.32% for middle school students and 87.85% for high school students, and had nearly one third of its students report current marijuana use (32.41%). Lifetime exposure to marijuana for middle school students (28.08%) were more than double that of any other participating community. High school students reported marijuana lifetime exposure percentages higher than any of the other participating communities (57.94%).
Equally telling were East Chicago’s results in measuring consequence data from participating community police reports.
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For 2006 and 2007, East Chicago averaged more than twice the number of Public Intoxication arrests (407) as compared to any other participating county community (Hammond – 183.5). East Chicago also averaged more drug violations (287) and more than twice the number of marijuana possession charges (155) than any other participating community (Hammond – 76).
It is the opinion of this profile that the data captured for this study validates the state’s endeavor to independently study and initiate prevention strategies aimed specifically at reducing drug use and consequences in East Chicago. The Lake County SPF-SIG initiative, under the authority of the Lake County Drug Free Alliance, supports these efforts and recommends continued state and community support in fighting these trends.
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Section 8: Sources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2008), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) – Grants / SPF SIG Background Homepage. Retrieved November 2007 from http://prevention.samhsa.gov/grants/sig_background.aspx
Indiana State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, 2006, The Consumption and Consequences of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs in Indiana: A State Epidemiological Profile.
Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) 2006, State of Indiana Strategic Plan, Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant.
U.S. Department of Justice, Lake County High Incidence Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Report 2007, Retrieved February 2008 from http://0225.0145.01.040/ndic/topics/dmas.htm#Top
The White House, Introduction to Risk Factors and Protective Factors, Helping America’s Youth; Retrieved March 2008 from http://guide.helpingamericasyouth.gov/programtool-factors.cfm
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1999). Guide to Risk Factor and Outcome Instruments. Rockville, MD. National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
Channing and Bete Company, Inc. 2002, Information Sheet: Risk Factors
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI). Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/ardi/Homepage.aspx Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005a). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Retrieved June 30, 2006 from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005b). CDC WONDER. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://wonder.cdc.gov/mortICD10J.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). Healthy Youth! YRBSS. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/CategoryQuestions.asp?Cat=3&d esc=Alcohol%20and%20Other%20Drug%20Use Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Uniform Crime Reports. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm
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Indiana Prevention Resource Center. (2006). Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by Indiana children and adolescents. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/survey/atod/index.html Monitoring the Future. (2006). New information. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/new.html National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Fatality-Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive. (n.d.). Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) series. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://webapp.icpsr.umich.edu/cocoon/SAMHDA- SERIES/00056.xml Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) – Homepage. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from https://nsduhweb.rti.org/
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