Important facts from the 2006 Student Drug Use Survey regarding youth marijuana use in our area:

Use

• The average age of first use of any marijuana is 13.6 years old.  By the 7^th grade, 2% report having tried marijuana.  By 9^th grade, 62% of those who tried have become monthly users or harmfully involved
• 60% of all alcohol usage is in a private residence (at home or at a friends house)
• 73% of all useage is on the weekends
• 32% of 7^th through 12^th graders report that alcohol is fairly easy or very easy to get

Impact
Students who use marijuana on a regular basis are:

• 3.7 times more likely to have been in trouble at school
• 6 times more likely to have threatened to harm another student
• 13 times more likely to have carried a gun to school
• 11 times more likely to have been in trouble with the police
• 7 times more likely to have participated in gang activity
• 3.5 times more likely to have thought about suicide

What Affects Use?
Students are __% less likely to use marijuana on a regular basis:

Parents

• 25% less likely when their parents talk to them about drugs
• 52% less likely when their parents set clear rules
• 54% less likely when their parents enforce consequences
• 35% less likely when their parents disapprove of marijuana

Social Factors

• 66% less likely if they particpate in school clubs or sports
• 113% less likely if involved in a faith-based program
• 93% less likely if involved in community activities
• 36% less likely if not employed
• 4.3 times less likely if peers disapprove of using marijuana