SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment), a nonprofit organization in Chesterfield County, Virginia, recently issued their Prevention Needs Assessment: Youth Survey Results.
In November 2005, the group surveyed youth in grades 8, 10, 12 and in 2007 the group conducted a follow-up study to measure against the 2005 numbers. The 2007 survey was given to 4,500 students and contains interesting inhalant data regarding 8th, 10th, and 12th grade inhalant use.
- Lifetime inhalant use was down 40% (from 19.8 to 11.7 percent).
- Past 30-day inhalant use was down 44% (from 8.2 to 4.6 percent).
- Lifetime use of inhalants by 8th grade students fell from 20% in 2005 to 12% in 2007.
- Past 30-day inhalant use for 8th grade students fell from 8% in 2005 to 5% in 2007.
- Past 30-day inhalant use for 10th grade students fell from 3% in 2005 to 2% in 2007.
The Chesterfield Observer reports, “The 2005 survey indicated eighth-graders had a "much higher problem with inhalants than the national average," and SAFE developed a program to address it." Wayne Frith, executive director of SAFE, “presented the group’s findings late last month at a school board meeting, telling school board members school is a safer environment than home. "It's a community problem, not a school problem," he assured them.”
SAFE's prevention model for inhalant abuse prevention has proven effective and we looking forward to hearing from Mr. Frith on tips we can share with you for implementation in your own communities.
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