The major findings of the survey regarding use of alcohol and other drugs are the following:

• Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana continue to be the drugs of choice among 7th-12th grade students.
  
• 30% of youth report drinking alcohol regularly, 22% report regular use of tobacco, and 16% report regular use of marijuana.
  
• Tobacco use declined in the past year from 30% to 22%.
  
• 58% of students reported use of alcohol within the past year (compared to 53% in 1999 and 48% in 1997).
  
• Marijuana use rates remain constant and slightly above the national averages.
  
• Students who report use of alcohol are three times more likely to carry a gun or other weapon at school, and four times more likely than non-users to use that weapon to threaten another student.
  
• Students who report use of marijuana are ten times more likely than non-users to carry a gun and five times more likely to carry another weapon at school.
  
• Regular alcohol and marijuana use triples between the 7th and 9th grades.
  
• Regular tobacco use doubles between the 7th and 9th grades.
  
• 70% of all alcohol consumed by youth is consumed in the home of the youth or a friend's house.
  
• 75% of parties for youth hosted in our region have alcohol present.
  

Answers to questions regarding protective factors revealed a:

• 25% reduction in use of all drugs among students whose parents talk to them about drugs.
  
• 46% reduction in use among students whose parents set clear and consistent rules.
  
• 45% reduction in use among students who attend church.
  
• 38% reduction in use among students who volunteer in the community.
  
• 40% reduction in the use of tobacco and marijuana among students who participate in school clubs and sports and a 20% reduction in alcohol use for this group.
  
• 40% reduction in use among students who have seen or heard anti-drug messages on TV or radio.
  
• 44% increase in use among students who have full- or part-time jobs.
  

The Coalition used the data to help each sector of the local community see its role in substance abuse prevention. The data also helped Coalition partners develop appropriate prevention activities. For example, two communities have in the past used the same prevention programs with limited success. Following the survey, each community could identify their issues (one had a high marijuana usage rate among middle schoolers and the other had a high number of youth who drink and report that the alcohol is provided by their parents). Each community then used the information to develop programs that targeted their problems.