Students say alcohol is easier to get than marijuana

Last week, the Seattle PI’s Pot Blog included an opinion entitled “Why legal marijuana will be good for Washington kids.”  It starts by stating that most kids say marijuana is easy to get.  Let’s turn to data from the 2012 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey for a closer look at this statement.

“Most” students do not report that marijuana is easy to get.

Among 8^th grade students attending Seattle Public Schools, 27% reported marijuana is easy to get.  Meanwhile, 31% reported that alcohol is easy to get.  Forty-seven percent of Seattle 10^th grade students reported that marijuana is easy to get and 52% reported that alcohol is easy to get. 

High school students get marijuana from friends.

Most Seattle high school students who use marijuana get it from friends according to the 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.  Alcohol, which is more widely used by high school students, is primarily obtained from friends as well.

This is supported by national data which indicate that marijuana is the primary drug sold by students who sell drugs.  According to the survey, 44% of high school students know of a student who sells drugs and overwhelmingly the drug being sold is marijuana.  

Legal drugs are easier for youths to get than illegal drugs.  

The same survey reports that students in schools where drugs are easy to get say that within an hour they can get alcohol, cigarettes, and prescription drugs more easily than marijuana. 

Legal drugs are used more than illegal drugs.

Even when marijuana is sold by peers, alcohol is used more according to the national survey cited above. Of the students who can identify a classmate who sells drugs, 55% use legal, regulated, and taxed alcohol and 35% use marijuana. 

Legislature addresses liquor privatization and increased youth access

Since hard liquor became available in grocery and other large retail stores, Prevention WINS coalition members have reported that it is easily stolen by minors.  During the coalition’s December 2012 general meeting, the North Precinct Liaison for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office reported:

~ All grocery stores, including all North Seattle groceries, are being hit by theft of liquor. 

~ Store security officers usually have a hands-off policy and are told to verbally discourage theft.

 

~ Many stores display alcohol near doors, making it easy for people to steal. 

~ When corporate offices are contacted, they state that, as a corporation, liquor theft is not affecting their profits and they do not plan to address the problem. 

~ Some South Seattle stores have begun to lock up their liquor. 

~ It is estimated that stores are losing up to $1,000 per day and the Roosevelt Safeway reports that they are losing about $30,000 per month due to liquor theft.  Stores are likely under-reporting their losses and that reported losses should be multiplied by 3 to get a more accurate picture. 

~ The King County Prosecutor’s Office does not prosecute any theft less than $1,000.  The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is working to track individual thieves so that when they steal an aggregate of more than $750 the City Attorney can refer them to the Prosecutor’s Office. 

Liquor theft is not unique to Seattle. In response, the state legislature passed a bill aimed at reducing theft.  KPLU broadcast a story about it today:

Grocery store owners who are losing liquor to shoplifters could pay a hefty price. Under a new law that takes effect June 13, the state can take away the store's license to sell liquor.

The crack down is aimed at keeping liquor out of the hands of underage drinkers.

Thefts Began With Privatization

As soon as liquor was privatized in Washington in 2012, Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, began hearing stories from cops about juveniles being caught with hard liquor. Hurst says that wasn't the case with state-run liquor stores, which had a theft rate of about zero.

Almost always, he says, the bottle of whiskey or tequila had been “lifted” from a retail shelf.

While many store owners did begin locking the liquor away and putting up special security systems, Hurst was frustrated by how lax some stores remained.

“You know, there were stores that had, eight steps from the door at one o'clock in the morning, Jose Cuervo or Jack Daniels or Jaegermeister — stuff that kids, of course, love and like to steal,” Hurst said.

New Law Goes After Retailers

Under the new law, a store that doesn't secure its liquor could lose its license from the state Liquor Control Board.

The state will be able to take the license away if the store has, within six months, two shoplifting incidents that result in the alcohol ending up in a juvenile's hands.

Hurst, who sponsored the legislation, says he thinks it’s already making a difference. He says he recently returned to a store that had displayed its liquor next to the front door.

Why an increase in teen drug use in NE Seattle? (Updated)

With the latest media attention, questions are being asked about how Roosevelt High School compares to other schools and why more students are attending school under the influence.

First, it is not just Roosevelt.  Other high schools are reporting an increase in students using/possessing marijuana and alcohol at school.  The difference is that Roosevelt High School administration decided to inform the public since teen drug use is a community problem.

Update: KPLU broadcast a story about an increase in marijuana use on middle and high school campuses throughout Seattle.

However, RHS students increasingly report recent drug use (despite alcohol use rates decreasing between 2006 and 2010).

Source: Washington State Healthy Youth Survey (HYS)

Roosevelt students report the second highest rates of alcohol and marijuana use among Seattle Public Schools high schools, behind Ballard High School students.  Nathan Hale and Garfield High School students are tied for the third highest use rates.

Why are substance use rates increasing in NE Seattle?

First the good news: Parental monitoring
Since 2006, the Prevention WINS coalition and community members focused a great deal of prevention activities on parenting.  Specifically, activities taught parents that they should monitor their teenage children to ensure that they are following family rules about not using drugs. According to HYS data, Eckstein 8th grade students* increasingly report that their parents monitor them.  Between 2006 and 2012, the percent of 8th grade student who reported that their parents know where they are and who they are with when they are not home increased from 73% to 92%.

Now the not-so-good news: Availability 

Between 2006 and 2012, the percent of Eckstein 8th grade students who reported that it would be easy to get marijuana increased from 11% to 29%.  Those reporting that it would be easy to get alcohol increased from 22% to 35%.

The other not-so-good news: Community laws & norms
As reported in an earlier post, the percent of 8th grade student who perceive community laws and norms that are favorable to drug use increased between 2006 and 2012 from 15% to 26%.

Since risk factors have changed dramatically over the past few years, the Prevention WINS coalition is currently conducting a new assessment to determine how to shift focus onto community risk factors when the coalition has been focusing on family risk factors.  The assessment will be complete by the end of the school year.

------------
*Eckstein Middle School 8th grade data is used because former Eckstein students compose the largest group -- but not the majority -- within the Roosevelt freshman class.  Eighth grade risk factor data can also inform onset of use between middle and high school, an important transition time.

Media stories highlight increased acceptance of drug use among teens

KING 5 and Q13 also picked up on the story about Roosevelt High School's principal's letter to parents about a spike in the number of students attending school in possession and/or under the influence of drugs.

The KING 5 story includes interviews with students who report that their peers who use are no longer afraid to show that they use marijuana and/or alcohol.  They say that there is increased acceptance that marijuana/alcohol use is "just part of life" and "the normal thing to do."



The Q13 story highlights the fact that the younger a teenager starts using drugs, including alcohol and marijuana, the more likely they will become addicted to them.

Update: KOMO also broadcast a story and highlighted that the majority of Roosevelt students make healthy choices and do not use drugs.

More about the increase in students under the influence at school

Today, KIRO broadcast a story about the increase in drug-related disciplinary incidents at Roosevelt High School.

Seattle students attend school under the influence at rates higher than county & state averages

The percent of Seattle high school students who report being drunk or high at school within the last 12 months is significantly higher than the rate in King County according to a report from Seattle & King County Public Health.

While Seattle high school students report bullying and obesity at rates lower than the King County average, they report using alcohol and marijuana at rates higher than average.  In 2012, about a quarter of  NE Seattle high school seniors reported attending school under the influence within the last year (Healthy Youth Survey).  High schools administrators report that this year they have noticed an increase in the number of students who come to school high.

Liquor privatization & marijuana legalization: The impact of policy change on Washington's youth

This morning, the WA House Early Learning & Human Services Committee held a work session about youth access to alcohol and marijuana since the adoption of Initiative 1183 (liquor privatization) and Initiative 502 (marijuana legalization.)



Data collected by the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) indicate that since the adoption of I-1183:

• Pro-alcohol attitudes among youth increased significantly;
• Perceived access to alcohol among youth increased;
• Emergency department visits for alcohol-related conditions significantly increased among minors;
• In King County during the first 16 months post-privatization, emergency departments reported an estimated additional 5,500 visits for alcohol-related conditions; 
• Our state has more than 1,000 new places to buy liquor;
• Theft of liquor, including theft by minors, increased.   

Though not enough time has passed since the adoption of I-502 to be able to analyze long-term effects, early data indicate that youth perceptions of risk associated with marijuana use significantly declined.  With retail stores scheduled to open this year, researchers expect increased availability of marijuana among minors.

2/27/14 Update: Below are links to media reports about the work session.

Liquor privatization in Washington bad for youths, new study says 

Teen addiction specialists report riskier behavior after marijuana and liquor initiatives

Study: Liquor privatization has shaped youth perception of alcohol

Central Seattle survey shows shift in student attitudes toward pot, alcohol

KOMO recently reported on findings from a survey conducted by the Central Seattle Drug Free Communities Coalition about student's changing attitudes about marijuana.  Communities throughout Seattle and the state are reporting similar changes in student attitudes.

Another story about underage drinking in Seattle parks

Earlier this week, I blogged about underage drinking in the Arboretum.  The Prevention WINS coalition recently completed a video about underage drinking at Golden Gardens and Magnuson Park.  Yesterday, KING 5 broadcast a story about youth drug use and underage drinking in a West Seattle park.

Binge & heavy drinking among teens

Between 2005 and 2011, high school seniors nationwide reported the following rates of binge drinking within the last two weeks:

• 20% reported drinking 5 or more drinks;
• 11% reported drinking 10 or more drinks;
•  6% reported drinking 15 or more drinks. 

Authors of the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week, call consuming more than 10 alcoholic drinks “extreme binge drinking”.  The number of seniors engaging in the most extreme drinking "is really concerning because they're most at risk for the really severe consequences," including reckless driving, car accidents and alcohol poisoning," said lead researcher Megan Patrick of the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research.

The study is important because it provides insight into seemingly conflicting trends:  that reported levels of binge drinking – traditionally defined as having five or more drinks in a row – have been declining among adolescents, although medical emergencies involving teen alcohol use have not.

Heavy drinking locally

While the WA Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) does not measure binge drinking like this recent study does, it does collect data about heavy use.  

Below are two charts from the 2012 HYS showing the rates of drinking among Nathan Hale High School and Roosevelt High School students (in blue) compared to the state average (in green).  As you see, most students do not drink (the lightest shaded areas in the columns).  However, most of those who do drink use alcohol often and/or heavily.  

The darkest colors at the bottom of the columns show the rate of "heavy drinking" -- 6+ days of drinking in the past month and/or 2+ episodes of binge drinking (5 or more drinks at one time).

The next shade lighter shows the rate of "problem drinking" -- 3 to 5 days of drinking in the past month and/or 1 day of binge drinking.  

Nathan Hale High School (blue)

WA (green)

Roosevelt High School (blue)

WA (green)

These charts are available on the Prevention WINS website under 2012 Healthy Youth Survey Results, high school summaries.  

Underage drinking and underage marijuana use linked

Underage drinking and illicit drug use, especially marijuana use, are closely linked according to data from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Twenty percent of underage drinkers reported using at least one illicit drug within two hours of last using alcohol, compared to 4.9% of those aged 21 or older. Marijuana was by far the most commonly used substance at 19.2% for drinkers under 21 and 4.4% for older drinkers.

The authors of the analysis suggest the need to follow any changes in Washington and Colorado where recreational marijuana is legalized.  Since there seem to differences in how teens use marijuana and how adults use marijuana, it will be important to study the impact of legalization on teens separately from the impact on adults.  

What recent research tells us about parenting, young adult DUI, and early initiation of alcohol use

White young adults “were 50% more likely to self-report DUI than blacks, Hispanics, or Asians,” according to Driving After Drinking Among Young Adults of Different Race/Ethnicities in the United States: Unique Risk Factors in Early Adolescence? appearing in the May 2013 edition of the Journal of Adolescent Health.  “Black adolescents appear the least likely to DUI as young adults.”

The articles goes on to say, “In additions, perception of easy home access to alcohol had a strong association with DUI for whites, Hispanics, and Asians . . . In 2010, among current drinkers aged 12 to 20 years old, 21.6% reported that they obtained their last use of alcohol in the past month from a parent, guardian, or other family member.  Therefore, the household environments, such as parental alcohol use, play a key independent role in shaping adolescent drinking behaviors.  In a previous study, adolescents with parents who drink or whose parents DUI are also more likely to DUI.  Our study suggests that perceived home access to alcohol is a strong predictor of DUI for all races/ethnicities, except for blacks.”

  

Childhood risk factors for early-onset drinking, published in the September 2011 Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, describes a study that examined potential risk factors for the initiation of alcohol use at age 14 or younger.  The researchers found that “the variables most-predictive of early-onset drinking were having a single parent, sipping-or tasting alcohol by age 10, having parents who also started drinking at-an early age, and parental drinking frequency.”

Prevention WINS new underage drinking video in the news

Last week, Prevention WINS and the Seattle Children's Hospital Division of Adolescent Medicine hosted a movie night featuring a new video produced by the coalition.  More than 80 people attended, including a reporter from Q13-FOX.  To view the story from Q13, click here.

A special thanks goes to the Prevention WINS members who were interviewed and Seattle Children's Hospital's Public Relations Department for coordinating media coverage!

During the event, Nathan Hale's Raiders Against Destructive Decisions (RADD) gave a presentation about their survey of local convenience stores.  They specifically looked at retailing practices that may promote underage drinking and tobacco use.  To view their presentation, click here.

NE Seattle teens, drinking & driving

According to the 2012 Healthy Youth Survey, almost a quarter of NE Seattle* high school seniors report riding in a car with someone who has been drinking. 

Last June, Seattle's Child magazine published "Anna's Lesson", a story about a NE Seattle teenager who drove drunk and suffered life-threatening consequences.  On April 25, the Prevention WINS coalition will launch a 15-minute video about underage drinking and driving in NE Seattle.  Following the video, NE Seattle community members, including parents and youth, will talk about their experiences and answer questions from participants.  For more information, contact Prevention WINS.

*NE Seattle = Eckstein Middle School 8th grade, Nathan Hale and Roosevelt High Schools 10th and 12th grades combined data

Some local convenience stores make it easy for youth to steal beer

During the Prevention WINS general meeting earlier this week, members of Nathan Hale's Raiders Against Destructive Decisions (RADD) provided coalition members with a summary of what they found when they visited local convenience stores that sell alcohol. 

They shared photos of one store that show single-serving beer cans and bottles next to soda, juices, and other products that teenagers frequently buy.  Single-serving beer containers are displayed along bottom shelves, making it easy for people to shoplift.  RADD also noted that the clerk did not pay attention to them while they were in the store.

RADD is now ready to take their presentation on the road and show it to local community groups.  RADD is available evenings starting at the end of April to give this 15-20 minute presentation.  To learn more or to arrange for a presentation, contact the RADD adult advisor. 

Why delaying alcohol use is important

In January, Aaron White, PhD, from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism presented information about "Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain" during a free webinar. The presentation included information about adolescent brain development and how it is hurt by alcohol. Below are a few of the slides, which may be downloaded from the UDETC website along with an audio recording.

Underage drinking: the problem and how to prevent it

On January 30, the federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention ofUnderage Drinking (ICCPUD) hosted a webinar about the nature and extent of underage drinking, recent research and available evidence-based solutions to the problem.  A recording of the webinar is now available online.  

Here are a few slides from the webinar.  The first four, from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, describe the problem.  The second four, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, discuss evidence-based prevention strategies.

All slides from this webinar are available online.

Young teens influenced by alcohol commercials

A recently released study published in Pediatrics provides more information about the negative affect alcohol advertising has on teenagers.  The study indicates that younger adolescents are susceptible to messages in alcohol commercials.  Exposure to the commercials influences some youth to drink more and to experience drinking-related problems later in adolescence.

KING5 covered the story and interviewed Dr. Yolanda Evans from Seattle Children's Hospital Division of Adolescent Medicine.  Just in time for the Super Bowl, Dr. Evans talks about what parents can do to reduce the negative affects of alcohol advertising on their children.

Free online training: Alcohol & the Adolescent Brain

Alcohol & the Adolescent Brain
Thursday, January 17, 2013
1:15 p.m.

Click here to register.

Aaron White, PHD (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) will update the audience on the most recent and compelling research concerning the effect of alcohol on the developing brain. He brings together a sophisticated developmental understanding of the adolescent and the structural changes that the brain undergoes during that period of growth that affects behavioral choices.

In this webinar, registrants will learn how research further informs how early alcohol use can be particularly damaging to the critical developmental process occurring in the brain and the urgency of deterring underage drinking and postponing the onset of alcohol use in young people.

From juice pouches to booze pouches

From Alcohol Justice, another example of how alcohol is marketed to minors:

Alcohol Justice called attention to a disturbing, new marketing/packaging brainchild – single-serve alcopops in soft-sided pouches that are cheap and highly portable - in other words, very appealing to youth . Since then, the product category has exploded . . .  As multiple media sources have recently indicated, there are not many alcohol producers that haven't jumped on board with the idea.

Manufacturers across the country have started to produce their own versions of the shtick: sweet, flavored malt beverages sold in squeezable pouches that are easy to carry, easy to consume, and easy to conceal when entering venues that prohibit alcohol from being brought inside. Because the producers say they are malt-based, these Smirnoff and Captain Morgan/Parrot Bay pouches sit on the shelf alongside beer, and get the benefit of very low beer excise tax rates as well. And with their bright colors, snazzy flavors like Cherry Limeade, and frequent encouragement to freeze and serve like popsicles, these drinks appeal to young drinkers looking for the the next big thing. 
 
The pouch product category represents just one more format with which the industry attracts kids and infuses alcohol into every aspect of young people's lives – by replacing Capri Sun pouches with Phusion's Island Squeeze, and providing a new way to sneak alcohol into college football games and concert venues.