OUTCOME DATA
SOME EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR MOST RECENT SURVEY!
For years we have been using evidence-based prevention approaches (life skills education, communications campaigns, community awareness, and policy advocacy) to reduce teen alcohol and drug use. To measure success we look at our local data in even years.
Every two years, the state measures substance abuse rates and trends, along with risk and protective factors among youth. This is the most reliable data we have concerning the effectiveness of prevention programs and other efforts. When these surveys come out, the best we usually hope for are some small percentage changes in key indicators, particularly the past 30 day use of alcohol and other drugs, age of first use, perception of harm and parental disapproval. In most years we don't see much more than a one or two point percentage shift. However, we cn now compare the numbers form the 2006 Illinois Youth Survey (when were first moving to the asset approach) and 2008. What we found was incredibly encouraging! The following is what happened when we blended traditional, evidence-based prevention and the developmental asset approach.
According to the 2008 IYS survey, tobacco use is down from 29% of 12th graders two years ago to 19% this year (a 33% reduction in student use). Alcohol use for the past month is down from 51% in the month before the 2006 survey to 36% this year (a reduction of 29.4%). Marijuana use is down from 16% to 13% (18% reduction) and most encouraging is the data around binge drinking which dropped from 32% to 23% (a 27% reduction in binge drinking among high school seniors). On the chart at right, the 2006 results are in green. The yellow bar is the new 2008 data, and the white and blue bars are national and state averages respectively for comparison.
In every related category, measurable, positive changes were evident. The numbers of students having never tried substances were up (6.9% fewer kids had smoked marijuana and 29.6% fewer teens had ever drank more than a sip or two of alcohol than in previous years). Other key indicators like perception of harm, and percieved parental disapproval of substance use, and even percieved availability of substances were drastically impacted. We want to acknowledge the coalition partners, the dedicated staff of our youth programs, the incredibly cool youth peer leaders and our steadfast school partners for hanging in there to see the fruits of their hard labor and sacrifice.