2012 Student Drug Use SurveyRegional Data Release

onNon-medical Use of Prescription Drugs and

Over-the-counter MedicationsMary Haag, RN OCPS I, ICPS 1

Survey Methodology

• Pride Surveys questionnaire

• Administered every two years - 7th cycle since 2000

• 57,241 seventh through twelfth grade students from 119 schools completed the survey

• Distribution by grade/age, by gender, and by race is representative of the region

• Respondents from private & parochial schools across 7 counties in the tri-state region

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Prevalence of Use

2012 Student Drug Use Survey

Used at least once in the past 30 days

Prescription Drugs 6.5%Over-the-Counter Medications

4.9%

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• Males are slightly more likely than females to use Rx & OTC drugs.

• African American and Hispanic youth are 2x more likely than White youth to use Rx & OTC drugs.

Use by Grade

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Age of First Use2012 Student Drug Use

SurveyAverage Age

Students Report First

UsingPrescription Drugs 12.9 yrs.Over the Counter Medications

12.4 yrs.

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• Students are beginning to use prescription and over the counter drugs earlier than alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana.

• African American students report the earliest age of onset for using Rx and OTC drugs.

Students’ Perception of Risk

2012 Student Drug Use Survey

Harmful/Very Harmful

Prescription Drugs 82.1%Over the Counter Medications

85.0%

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• Males perceive Rx & OTC drugs as less harmful to health, compared to females.

•African American & Hispanic students perceive Rx & OTC drugs as less harmful to health, compared to White students.

Perceived Risk by Grade

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Perception of Parent Disapproval

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2012 Student Drug Use Survey

Wrong/Very Wrong

Prescription Drugs 86.9%Over the Counter Medications

90.8%

• Males perceive their parents would disapprove of their use of Rx & OTC drugs less than female perception.

• African American & Hispanic students perceived their parents would disapprove of their use of Rx & OTC drugs less than White students.

Ease of Availability

2012 Student Drug Use Survey

Easy/very easy

Prescription Drugs 26.5Over-the-Counter Medications

34.7

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• Female students report OTC medications are easier to obtain.

• White and Hispanic students respond that OTC medications are easier to obtain than African American students. Hispanic students also report Rx drugs are easier to obtain.

Who

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Where

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When

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National Comparison of 12th gr.

Core Measure : past 30-day Use

Student Drug Use Survey(regional)

Pride (national)

Monitoring the Future(national)

Prescription Drugs

7.9% 7.9% 7.2%

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Areas of ConcernOverall Concerns:• Youth are starting to abuse Rx & OTC

meds earlier than alcohol tobacco, and marijuana

• Non-medical use of prescription drugs is the next most frequently abused drugs after alcohol tobacco, and marijuana

Why is it Happening?• Community Norms• Access & Availability• Messaging & Promotion• Policies & Enforcement

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