Community Partnership and Chisago County schools have released their student survey data. Community Partnership's annual student survey collects data from Chisago County's 6th, 9th and 12th graders, focusing on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and methamphetamines. "This data is so important to our entire community, " reports Tom Koplitz, executive director of Community Partnership and a leader in the Partners for a Drug-Free Chisago County coalition. "It presents accurate, current information that is otherwise not available." The survey is also a shining star example of the value of organizations working together, as the Rush City, North Branch and Chisago Lakes schools, Hazelden and Community Partnership combined their resources to make this happen. "Candice Walker, Research Scientist at Hazelden and her volunteers must be recognized for their great work in tabulating and analyzing the data and preparing the reports. It was all donated as an in-kind contribution!"

The report is part of the coalition's federal reporting mandate and presents the community with the following data: past 30 day use of each substance, perception of risk of each substance, perception of peer and parent disapproval of use, and average age of onset of use. The data collected presents a picture, over time of changes in each of these important areas. "If kids perceive that using alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and/or meth is risky, they are less likely to use; if kids perceive their parents disapprove of their use, they are less likely to use; and if kids perceive their peers disapprove of their use, they are less likely to use. This is very important data that should guide our efforts to build a drug free Chisago County!"

Here are some of the highlights of the report:

-Over 1,500 students participated in the survey;

-Youth alcohol use continues to present major problems in our communities, as 57 percent of 12th graders (up 5 percent from last year) and 32 percent of 9th graders reported using alcohol (up 2 percent from last year) over the past 30 days;

-27 percent of 12th graders reported using marijuana over the past 30 days:

-Meth use stayed the same or dropped among 9th and 12th graders;

-Tobacco is perceived by all age groups as the riskiest substance;

-Perception of risk of meth use increased dramatically among 6th graders;

-Perception of parental disapproval is very high for each substance (over 90 percent in all graders and all substances); 96 percent or more of 6th graders believe their parents would disapprove of any chemical use;

-Perception of peer disapproval of alcohol use drops 30 percent from 6th grade to 9th grade;

-12th graders who reported using any of the four substances (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, meth) started using at the age of 13;

9th graders who reported using alcohol reported they began using at the age of 11.5.

"This data supports the research that indicates if kids think using is risky, if they perceive their parents disapprove of their use, and if they perceive their friends disapprove of their use, they are very likely to choose not to use these illegal substances. It also indicates that the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by young people in Chisago County continues to present problems to young people, their families and their communities." Koplitz added that ‘we need to continue to work together on behalf of our youth to prevent these problems!'

The complete countywide report is available to all Partners for a Drug Free Chisago County electronically, and to the public by request. If you would like a free presentation on the survey and information about Partners for a Drug Free Chisago County, contact Community Partnership at (651) 674-4085.

NOTE: The next get together of the Partners for a Drug Free Chisago County is Thursday, July 19. It's a picnic at the Rush City Park from 11:30 -- 1 p.m.