Community Attitudes About

Youth Substance Use

My TOWN,
A Coalition Working to Prevent Youth Substance Use Hoquiam, WA

Winter 2014

Report prepared by Brianne Probasco, Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Introduction
In 2013, Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department received multi-year funding from Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery to help the community of Hoquiam develop a plan to reduce underage alcohol use and its resulting consequences. The My TOWN Coalition was formed to guide the planning process. My TOWN members include representatives from: Hoquiam School District Hoquiam businesses YMCA of Grays Harbor Hoquiam Police Department Washington Traffic Safety National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Educational Service District (ESD) 113/True North members of the faith community Grays Harbor County Juvenile Department substance abuse treatment professionals parents and other interested citizens

In November 2013, the My TOWN Coalition asked community residents aged 18 or older to complete a survey about youth substance use. The information collected by the survey is summarized in this report and will be used by the My TOWN Coalition to inform the priorities of their plan to reduce underage alcohol use and its resulting consequences.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Methods
Survey instrument
The original survey instrument was developed by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. It consists of 24 questions related to demographics, opinions about youth substance use, knowledge about marijuana, and parenting practices. The My TOWN coalition added two additional questions regarding heroin and methamphetamine use among local youth. A copy of the survey instrument is in Appendix A.

Survey distribution
Copies of the survey were made available in both English and Spanish at Hoquiam City Hall, all Hoquiam School District schools, and the Hometown Sanitation office. An online version of the survey in both English and Spanish was also made available. Local partners, including Grays Harbor Radio, The Daily World newspaper, City of Hoquiam, and Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department, posted a link to the survey on their websites. Hometown Sanitation, Hoquiams waste management service provider, mailed information about the survey, including the web address of the online version, to all of its customers in their November bill. Students of Hoquiam High School also handed out informational postcards during community canvasing for a local food drive. Residents were able to complete the survey between November 1 November 30.

Data analysis
Data were stored and analyzed with SurveyMonkey software.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Results
Demographics
City of residence 67% of respondents lived in Hoquiam, 18% lived in Aberdeen, 6% lived in Montesano, and 8% lived in various other parts of Grays Harbor County. 1% of respondents lived outside of Grays Harbor County. Age of respondent 4% of respondents were 18-24 years old, 29% were 25-44 years old, and 67% were 45+ years old. Age of respondents children 40% of respondents had children 18 years old or younger. Of these, 56% had children 10 years old or younger, 36% had children 11-14 years old, and 45% had children 15-18 years old. Gender 69% of respondents were female; 31% were male. Race/ethnicity 94% of respondents were white/Caucasian, 4% were Native American/Alaska Native, and 3% were Hispanic or Latino. Education 43% of respondents had a college or graduate degree, 37% had completed some college, 17% had completed high school, and 3% had not completed high school.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Opinions about youth substance use

Seriousness of issues Most respondents felt that youth substance use and youth mental health issues were a moderate to serious problem in the community.
Issue Alcohol use Marijuana use Tobacco use Depression Meth Driving under the influence Prescription drug abuse Heroin Suicide Respondents indicating that the issue is at least a moderate problem in the community. 86% 80% 80% 79% 76% 73% 73% 71% 68%

Opinions about law enforcement 77% of respondents agreed that law enforcement personnel are effective in their response to calls and requests about underage alcohol and drug use at parties or gatherings. Opinions about legal consequences for youth that use alcohol or marijuana Most respondents thought that youth should receive legal consequences if they use alcohol or marijuana.
Respondents indicating that youth should receive the consequence if caught using alcohol. marijuana. 94% 77% 65% 66% 47% 20% 90% 78% 66% 61% 54% 20%

Legal consequence Parents/caregivers should be notified. Youth should be required to complete community service. The school should be notified (student may have broken athletic department policies). Youths driver license should be suspended. Youth should receive a fine. Youth should receive a jail sentence.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Opinions about legal consequences for adults that provide alcohol or marijuana to underage youth Most respondents thought that adults should receive legal consequences if they provide alcohol or marijuana to underage youth.
Respondents indicating that adults should receive the consequence if caught giving underage youth alcohol. marijuana. 84% 86% 73% 53% 35% 75% 53% 38%

Legal consequence Adults should receive a fine. Adults should be required to complete a diversion program or community service. Adults should receive a jail sentence. The parents/guardians of the youth caught using alcohol or marijuana should receive a fine.

Knowledge and opinions about marijuana

Respondents were asked to share their knowledge and opinions about a variety of issues related to marijuana and the recent legislation making recreational use of marijuana legal for adults 21+ years old in Washington state.
Respondents who believe the statement is true. false.

Statement

Correct Answer

Now that marijuana is legal it is OK for youth to have 2% 98% False small amounts. Marijuana paraphernalia is now legal and OK for youth 1% 99% False to have in school. It is a felony to provide marijuana to a minor, even to 76% 24% True your own kids at home. Since marijuana is now available in health care settings, 7% 93% False that means it is not harmful. Eating food with marijuana in it is safer because you are 1 15% 85% False not taking in smoke. 2 Only people 21 and older can possess marijuana. 81% 20% True Small amounts of marijuana can be used in public. 22% 78% False Now that marijuana is legal, Washington State will no 5% 95% False longer have medical marijuana regulations. 1 While smoking marijuana may promote damage to the lungs, the effects of marijuana on the brain are the same regardless of whether it is smoked or eaten.
2

In reference to marijuana used for recreational purposes, not medical purposes.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Prescription drugs
Respondents were asked about how they manage their familys prescription drugs. 55% said that, at least sometimes, they have prescription drugs in their house that they no longer need and 50% said they dont always know where they can get rid of prescription drugs that they no longer need. 90% said that when their child has a prescription drug they always monitor their childs use of the drug.

Parenting practices and opinions

Allowing youth to drink alcohol Almost all respondents think it is NOT okay for teenagers to drink alcohol. 19% of respondents said they do not keep ANY alcohol in their home and another 77% said they NEVER allow youth to drink alcohol in their home. 2% said they allow youth to drink alcohol in their home on special occasions. Another 2% said they allow their own children to drink alcohol in their home, but not their childrens friends. 1% said they allow youth to drink alcohol in their home only under supervision. 0% said they allow youth to drink alcohol in their home without any restrictions. 95% believe it is NEVER okay for teenagers to drink at parties.
Respondents who think it IS okay for teenagers to drink at parties, 5%

Respondents who think it is NOT okay for teenagers to drink at parties, 95%

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

81% believe it is NEVER okay for parents to offer their teenaged children alcoholic drinks in their home.
Respondents who think it IS okay for parents to offer their teenage children alcohol 19% Respondents who think it is NOT okay for parents to offer their teenage children alcohol 81%

Although most respondents have a strict stance AGAINST underage drinking, they think that other adults are more relaxed about allowing youth to drink alcohol. 51% thought that most adults in the community feel it is okay for parents to offer their teenage children alcoholic drinks in their own home at least on special occasions. Talking to their children about alcohol and marijuana Of respondents with children between the ages of 10-18, 95% have talked with their children about alcohol use in the last three months and 90% have talked about marijuana use in the last three months. Almost all respondents (98%) told their children that they should not use alcohol or marijuana. Monitoring their children Most respondents with children between the ages of 10-18 closely monitor their children when they go out with friends in the evenings or on weekends. 89% always ask whom their children will be with and, at least most of the time, 94% check to see if there will be adult supervision, 96% set a curfew, and 61% check their children for signs of substance use when they get home.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Next steps
The My TOWN Coalition will use the information from the community survey, along with other Hoquiam-specific data, to guide a prioritization process. My TOWN will then take their findings to the community at large to seek input on specific strategies to reduce underage alcohol use and its resulting consequences.

For more information

If you would like to learn more about this report or the My TOWN Coalition, contact Wilma Weber, Public Health Educator at wweber@co.grays-harbor.wa.us or (360) 5004069.

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Appendix A Survey instrument

Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Appendix A contd

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Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Appendix A contd

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Community Attitudes About Youth Substance Abuse My TOWN Coalition

Appendix A contd

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