Issue 4: Youth Development

• The number of students who have drank alcohol one or more times in the last 12 months has decreased across all grade levels
• Tobacco use among teenagers in Lycoming County has decreased compared to the 1995 survey.
• While marijuana use has decreased among grades 6,7 and 9, it has increased among grades 10,11 and 12.
• Experimental cocaine use among grades 7, 9, 10 and 11 has increased.
• The number of respondents who drink on a daily basis has decreased from 7.5% in 1995 to 5.7% in 2000.
• The number of respondents who have taken sleeping pills has increased from 4.8% in 1995 to 7.6% in 2000.
• Of the respondents who make under $10,000 annually, 30% smoke.

The number of respondent who stated that a member of their household drinks or takes drugs has decreased from 14.5% in 1995 to 11.4% in 2000 although the response to a member of my household gets drunk or high increased from 2.8% in 1995 to 4.7% in 2000.

Substance Abuse/ Mental Health Focus Group

• Mental Health Issues – participants felt that mental health issues (specifically depression and uncontrolled “anger”) were prevalent in their community, but “masked” by a lack of community awareness.
• Substance Abuse Issues – participants noted that alcohol and illegal substances were common in Lycoming County, especially in the suburban and rural areas. It is relatively easy to access illegal substances in Lycoming County and many treatment programs tend to rely too much on using medication to relieve drug addiction.
• Access to treatment and other supportive services - participants felt that the general public was not aware of the services available within their own community.

Youth Focus Group

Substance abuse (illegal drugs, alcohol and smoking) – peer pressure and desire to be “cool” are the primary reasons why young people start drinking. Overwhelmingly, group participants thought that “stress” (in school because of grades, friends, tests and sports) and “peer pressure” were the main reason why young people start smoking. Adults and family members in their lives had the greatest influence on kids’ decisions to try drugs.