The 2012 Youth Substance Abuse Survey shows declines in substance use among Orange County students. Statewide, 70,859 middle and high school students participated in the survey and 1,745 Orange County students were surveyed.
Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco remain the most used substances for middle and high school students in Orange County. In 2010, 49.5% of students reported lifetime use of alcohol and 24.5% reported lifetime use of cigarettes. Those numbers have declined in 2012 to 46.8% and 18.5% respectively. Past 30-day underage alcohol use by Orange County students has also declined from 26.5% in 2010 to 23.1% in 2012; this is lower than the state average of 24.6%. Past 30-day cigarette use has also declined from 7.8% in 2010 to 5% in 2012. This number is also lower than the state average (6.6%). Past 30-day marijuana use by Orange County students has remained relatively the same reporting 11.9% in 2010 and 12.1% in 2012.
Another notable decline among Orange County students is reported binge drinking, defined as the consumption of five or more drinks in a row in the last two weeks. In 2010, 12.5% of students reported current binge drinking compared to 10.6% in 2012. The survey also shows a decline in lifetime reported non-medical use of prescription pain relievers 7.9% in 2010 to 6.8% in 2012. However, 6.8% is higher than the statewide average (6.4%). 72.3% of students surveyed perceived a great risk of harm associated with the use of prescription drugs without a doctor’s order.
“Underage drinking is a major concern in Orange County and we are glad to see the numbers trending in the right direction,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “We will continue to support our schools, drug free coalition members and community efforts to further reduce substance use in our community.”
“Preventing substance use among our youth is one of my top priorities. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and our community partners will continue to focus prevention efforts on the harms of marijuana use, synthetic marijuana use and the non-medical use of prescription drugs among our youth,” said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.
