Study details students' use of alcohol

Did you know that 21 percent of sixth-graders in the Brainerd School District have tried alcohol? And that more than half of the ninth-graders and three-fourths of the high school seniors in Brainerd have tried alcohol.

Those are just a few of the findings of the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey Trends Report that surveyed sixth-, ninth- and 12th-graders about their behaviors, attitudes and perceptions. The survey was conducted by the state education, human services and public safety departments in the spring of 2007.

The Brainerd School Board Monday discussed the survey results. There were 426 sixth-graders, 419 ninth-graders and 350 12th-graders in Brainerd who responded to the survey. The survey does not include students from the Area Education Center.

When it comes to substance use in Brainerd, 90 percent of sixth-graders, 66 percent of ninth-graders and 48 percent of 12th-graders never tried cigarettes; 95 percent of sixth-graders, 71 percent of ninth-graders and 57 percent of 12th-graders never chewed tobacco or used cigars; and 79 percent of sixth-graders, 43 percent of ninth-graders and 25 percent of 12th-graders never tried alcohol.

Twenty-one percent of ninth-graders and 29 percent of 12th-graders reported having five or more drinks in a row on one occasion in the past two weeks. Sixth-graders were not asked this question.

Of Brainerd 12th-graders who used alcohol or drugs in the past 12 months, 28 percent couldn't remember their words or actions after using; 22 percent used more than they intended and 22 percent spent a full day using/recovering.

The study showed that in Crow Wing County, there were 416 students or 28 percent of the sixth-, ninth- and 12th-graders who had more than a few sips of alcohol at age 13 or younger. The study found that almost 50 percent of the students in the state have tried alcohol beyond a few sips by the time they reached the ninth grade, and more than 70 percent of students tried alcohol at least once by the time they became a senior in high school.

The student study showed that the number of Brainerd students using substances is lower than the state average. It also states that a vast majority of Minnesota students in both age groups have not tried drugs beyond alcohol and marijuana.

Students were asked if their friends would disapprove if they were to smoke cigarettes, binge drink or use marijuana. In Brainerd, 86 percent of sixth-graders, 62 percent of ninth-graders and 50 percent of 12th-graders perceive that their friends would disapprove if they used cigarettes; 81 percent of sixth-graders, 47 percent of ninth-graders and 34 percent of 12th-graders perceive their friends would disapprove of alcohol use; and 89 percent of sixth-graders, 63 percent of ninth-graders and 54 percent of 12th-graders perceive their friends would disapprove of marijuana use.

The study found that by ninth grade almost 72 percent of the students in the county abstained from smoking and by 12th grade this rate drops to only 51 percent.

Statewide, the study found that 38 percent of 12th grade males would not care if their friends binge drink and 13 percent actually would approve if their friends engaged in binge drinking.

In the county, there were 107 students or 14 percent of students in ninth and 12th grade who reported driving a motor vehicle one or more times after using alcohol or drugs in the past 12 months. In the same age group in the county, 251 students or 27 percent said they rode with friends after using alcohol or drugs.

Rose Hauge, Crow Wing County substance abuse prevention specialist, said the state survey is a valuable tool for schools that helps break myths.

"These surveys help us identify trends in student behaviors and attitudes and help determine evidence-based prevention programming and messages that adults want to convey," said Hauge. "We had many people look at the surveys, including doctors, school nurses and counselors, family and consumer science teachers and the dean of students, who need to work together to promote healthier behaviors of our students."

To view county or state survey results go to www.sumn.org.