Real Cigarette Usage Problems Among Teens

American teens were asked their opinion regarding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Most of them believe that cigarettes are much riskier in comparison with illicit drugs and drinking, that is what a new government report sustains. And this perception may increase the usage of alcohol or illegal substances among teens, says the same report.

Pamela S. Hyde affirmed that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are on the right way with the cigarette smoking among teens and have to continue on the same track. But they still have to make the teens to be aware of the danger that is provoked by other substances.

SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health made a survey in the 2007 and 2008, to a number of 44,979 adolescents that were aged 12-17. It concluded that the teens understand very well the risk of smoking tobacco cigarettes but still all of these perceptions depend on the age and gender variation.

Here are numbers that could explain the real situation:

• Almost 70 percent of all respondents believe that smoking cigarettes is a big health problem.

• Just 40 percent of the respondents believe that drinking five or more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week represent a very big risk, and only 34.2 % think that smoking marijuana once a month is a risk. 49, 7% of those that were asked believe that using cocaine once a month is a danger for health and 59,9 % thought using LSD once or twice a month was very risky.

• Boys were more tempted to try heroin once or twice than girls.

• Girls thought that it is a big risk to smoke one or more packs of cigarettes a day, smoke marijuana once a month, have five or even more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week.

This year, 2009, was conducted by the state Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health another survey and it includes information from all students in sixth to 12th grade in Tooele County School District. The result that was obtained is sure because the district takes in consideration all the students.

4,510 students in sixth through 12th grades took the survey, in 2009, March. It had 150 questions and took 50 minutes to be completed. This survey about cigarettes had the purpose to see which the success is, evaluate new problems that have to be solved and apply for federal grants to fund programs that have a preventing character.

Julie Spindler is a specialist from Valley Mental Health in Tooele and she said that she is glad that there is a positive trend, but still there is a lot more work to be done.

The 6th grade students reported that they use just a few sips of wine, beer on some special occasions. The results are: in 2005 there were 13 percent; in 2009 it fell to 9 percent.

Eighth grade the alcohol usage fell from 22 percent in 2005 to 18 percent in 2009. Still, the state average for eighth grade is 10 percent.

In the 10th grade, was made the conclusion that the number fell from 50 percent in 2005 to 40 percent in 2009. The state average is 30 percent.

In 12th grade, the lifetime alcohol use rate fell from 52 percent in 2005 to 46 percent in 2009. The state average is 37 percent.

Regarding the cigarette problem there were shown almost the same result like at the usage of alcohol. Spindler affirmed that the changes that were made have a good result. And also the survey shows the points where the situation is bad and where it needs to be done something.

In the end the survey concluded that there is maintained discipline in junior highs in the whole country and it has been improved the discipline in the classrooms. The number increased to 80 % in 2009.