OLYMPIA -- A new survey of Washington students shows most kids are saying no to alcohol, drug use, and other risky behaviors, but too many continue to risk their health and future success.

The anonymous survey is taken by thousands of public school kids in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades every two years. It covers a variety of topics including drug and alcohol use, weapons in schools, gang involvement, cigarette smoking, physical activity, and more.

"With our community partners we are making good progress in preventing most youth from using alcohol and other drugs," said Robin Arnold-Williams, Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. "But with kids being exposed to more alcohol advertising, and more 10th and 12th graders saying they were drunk or high at school, it's important that parents and caregivers talk more often with their kids about the risks of alcohol use, and model healthy choices."

While programs that discourage risky behavior appear to be working, there are still far too many youth doing things that put their health at risk. Survey findings include:

Alcohol/Drugs

• Nearly one in four 10th graders reported being drunk in the past 30 days.
• Since 2000, binge drinking by 8th graders has gone down by 42 percent. Binge drinking among 10th and 12th graders is also lower than in 2000, but since 2002 there have been no further declines.
• One in five 12th graders and almost as many 10th graders said they were drunk or high at school in the past year – 21 percent more 10th graders than two years ago.
• Marijuana use peaked in 1998, and then declined for all grades. Since 2000, marijuana use by 8th graders is down 42 percent. However, in recent years use among 10th and 12th graders has remained stable.
• About one in 10 high school students said they had used a prescription painkiller in the past month to get high.

Safety

• More youth surveyed reported carrying a gun, knife, or club to school, and fewer students said they felt safe at school.
• The percentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who said they belong to a gang increased significantly.

Tobacco use

• Cigarette smoking among youth has dropped by nearly half since the Department of Health began a comprehensive tobacco prevention program in 1999. This translates into about 65,000 fewer youth smokers statewide.
• Rates among youth in middle school (6th and 8th grade) continue to trend lower although 10th grade smoking is up slightly from 2004.
• More youth are using alternative forms of tobacco, like cigars and flavored cigarettes.

"We're working hard to make sure kids know the truth about tobacco use so they can make the right choice and say no," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "We've made great progress, but the battle is far from over. Nationwide, youth tobacco rates are climbing again as tobacco companies spend millions to promote their product to a new generation of customers."

While the percentage of youth who are overweight has not changed much, the number of kids who reported drinking two or more sodas a day dropped in every grade level. More 8th graders reported getting enough physical activity; at the same time, it appears kids are also spending more time on the computer, watching TV and playing video games.

The availability of alcohol, drugs and guns, and poor family management practices increase the risk that teens will develop health and behavior problems. The results show the perceived availability of drugs dropping steadily — especially among 8th and 12th graders. Since 2002, the perceived availability of handguns to 8th graders has declined. Unfortunately, 10th graders are more likely than in previous years to report poor family environments such as lacking clear expectations, inconsistent punishment, and parents not knowing their children's schedules or who their friends are.

"Students' access to drugs, alcohol and weapons in the community and a troubling upsurge in the reports of gang affiliation underscore the difficulties kids bring to school with them, and the challenges educators face in helping them to learn," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson. "But it's important to have this honest feedback from them so we can better understand what's happening in their lives and increase our focus on making schools a safe and welcoming place."

The Healthy Youth Survey was taken anonymously by almost 200,000 students in 1,028 schools. The Department of Health, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Department of Social and Health Services, and Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development jointly fund the survey every two years. The entire survey (www.doh.wa.gov) is available on the Internet.

The Washington State Reducing Underage Drinking Coalition has launched a new website to help parents talk with their kids about the consequences of underage drinking: http://starttalkingnow.org

Contacts: Pam Darby, DSHS/Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (360) 725-3720