HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - DRUG USE SC VALLEY (2)v � Y:�VI�s�1rV1
TO: Mayor Janice H. Heidt and
Members of the City Council
FROM: George A. Caravalho, City Manager
DATE: June 30,1998
SUBJECT: SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON DRUG USE IN THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive presentation and discuss.
BACKGROUND
There is increasing concern about the prevalence of drug use, including alcohol and tobacco,
among youth in the Santa Clarita Valley. Findings from a recent drug survey administered to a
representative sample of secondary school students revealed that most youth first try drugs at
age 14. Additionally, by 12'hgrade, 2 out of 3 Santa Clarita youth have tried marijuana, 4 out of
5 have tried alcohol, 1 out of 5 has experimented with some type of stimulant, and 1 out of 4 has
experimented with some type of hallucinogen.
The availability and use of drugs is a community -wide issue requiring a community -wide
strategy. All elected officials in Santa Clarita have been invited to this meeting to increase
awareness about the prevalence of drugs in our community. In order to understand the
problem; brief presentations on drugs in the Santa Clarita Valley will be made by the William
S. Hart Union School District, SCV Sheriffs Station, Probation, parents, and youth. -Drugs are
a widespread problem that must be addressed by the community. This special presentation will
be followed up by Youth Focus Groups conducted in September and the annual Mayor's
Conference for Youth and Families in October also focusing on the availability and use of drugs
in our community.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Special Presentation on Drug Use in the Santa Clarita Valley Program
PM:jpc
ocjp\630study.doc
Special Presentation on Drug Use in the Santa Clarita Valley
Council Chambers
Tuesday, June 30, 1998
6:30 p.m.
PROGRAM
I. Overview / Background
(10 minutes)
II. Issue Discussion — 3 -minute presentations
(30 minutes)
• 1997/98 Drug Survey Summary
• William S. Hart Union High School District
• Sherifrs Department / COBRA Unit
• GAPP / Probation
• Parents
• Youth — Junior High School
• Youth — High School
• Youth Advocate / ACTION
III. Facilitated Discussion
(One hour)
IV. Break
V. Public Comment
(30 minutes)
William S. Hart Union School District
1997-98 Drug Survey Summary
• This survey is The American Drug and Alcohol Survey by the Rocky Mountain Behavioral
Science Institute, Inc.
• The survey was administered to a representative sample of William S. Hart Union School
District students. We surveyed:
■ 190
7th graders
■ 271
8th graders
■ 260
9th graders
• 238
10th graders
■ 214
11th graders
■ 232
12'hgraders
• Alcohol and drugs are reported to be used most at parties and at night with friends.
• The average age when respondents first got drunk is 14.2 years.
• The average age when respondents first tried marijuana is 14.5 years.
• The average_age when respondents first used inhalants is 14.1 years.
• The average age when respondents first tried tobacco products is 12.7 years.
Percentage of Students
Who Have Ever Tried Each Drug
Heroin
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Alcohol
42
71
69
70
84
88
Been Drunk
5
27
32
39
57
67
Marijuana
9
21
30
32
50
59
Cocaine
2
6
5
2
8
11
Stimulants
3
7
8
4
13
21
Legal Stimulants
4
7
9
8
15
14
Inhalants
13
21
16
9
14
14
Nitrites
2
3
3
0
4
6
Downers
2
3
1
2
5
4
Quaaludes
3
0
2
0
2
2
Tranquilizers
1
1
0
0
3
4
Hallucinogens
4
10
13
7
19
25
PCP
3
2
4
1
6
4
Heroin
2
3
3
2
2
1
Narcotics other than
3
6
7
3
12
15
Heroin
Percentage of Students Who Have
Used Each Drug in the Last 12 Months
Heroin
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Alcohol
31
57
61
7
75
80
Been Drunk
5
20
25
31
46
58
Marijuana
7
17
26
27
36
50
Cocaine
0
5
4
2
5
9
Stimulants
1
3
5
2
8
14
Legal Stimulants
3
6
6
7
11
11
Inhalants
8
10
10
4
5
7
Nitrites
0
0
2
0
3
4
Downers
0
2
1
0
5
3
Hallucinogens
3
7
10
4
13
18
PCP
1
2
2
0
5
1
Heroin
0
2
2
0
1
0
Narcotics other than
0
3
5
1
5
4
Heroin
Percentage of Students Who
Have Used Each Drug in the Last Month
1989 1991 1997
7th Grade
Cigarettes
1
12
20
Alcohol
0
12
31
Marijuana
8
4
7
Cocaine
14
2
0
8th Grade
Cigarettes
4
14
34
Alcohol
4
22
57
Marijuana
17
4
17
Cocaine
25
1
5
tiR,Te- ,'
Cigarettes
6
21
39
Alcohol
8
30
34
Marijuana
24
11
15
Cocaine
36
3
3
iUIRJTe=,MI
Cigarettes
8
21 47
Alcohol
10
31 28
Marijuana
23
12 15
Cocaine
38
2 0
11th Grade
Cigarettes
8
28
58
Alcohol
10
44
47
Marijuana
28
23
24
Cocaine
44
4
1
12th Grade
Cigarettes
12
26
62
Alcohol
10
51
54
Marijuana
28
21
28
Cocaine
50
2
4
Percentage of Students WhoBelieve it Would
Be Fairly Easy or Very Easy to Get Each Drug
1991 1997
7th Grade
Cigarettes
56
N/A
Alcohol
50
65
Marijuana
18
29
Cocaine
14
10
8th Grade
Cigarettes
73
N/A
Alcohol
59
80
Marijuana
24
46
Cocaine
17
29
9th Grade
Cigarettes
77
N/A
Alcohol
63
87
Marijuana
40
65
Cocaine
21
27
10th Grade
Cigarettes
85
N/A
Alcohol
69
91
Marijuana
44
76
Cocaine
19
34
11th Grade
Cigarettes
95
N/A
Alcohol
79
95
Marijuana
59
82
Cocaine
32
38
12th Grade
Cigarettes
95
NIA
Alcohol
81
94
Marijuana
60
91
Cocaine
23
41
Percentage of StudentsWho Have
Ever Used or are Daily Users of Cigarettes
7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Ever Used
20
34
39
47
58
62
Daily Users
0
5
7
4
17
21
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