03-24-2007, 01:27 AM
County 5th graders provide vital statistics for decreasing early drug use
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer
Dr. John Crosby, Cherokee County Drug Coalition Director, revealed information to the coalition on March 13 that included the drug, alcohol, and weapon use behavior of Cherokee County fifth graders.
Based upon the data compiled by the county wide Pride Survey, local fifth graders appeared to be experimenting with inhalants such as glue and gasoline.
Though only 1.2% of the 257 students said that their friends would approve of inhalants, 7.2% said that such drugs are easy to get.
The availability of household and school products that can be huffed and inhaled for a high appeared to be the problem. Though a child may not use inhalents or any other drug as early as fifth grade, the availability of such substances can provide a future risk to any child.
"Fifth grade is the experimental era," explained Dr. John Crosby.
The coalition continued to look at the demographic as a helpful tool in understanding when drug habits are learned and what action to take to combat those behaviors.
"This information enables us to be targetted and specific," said Sue Lynn Ledford.
Approximately 60% of the children said that they weren't sharing their problems with their parents.
The coalition discussed the lack of communication between at risk children and their parents as an avenue to explore and provide solutions in order to bridge the communication gap.
A positive impact for children in the 10-12 age group could be made if they understand early on the real consequences of drug use through discussions of healthy choices at school and at home.
"Research tells us that for behavior to change, they need to hear a consistant message," said Ledford. "With this, we will decrease the numbers."
The Pride survey in Cherokee County has given the coalition valuable data that could be effective in all arenas of drug, alcohol, and violence prevention. Other counties have taken part in the survey, including Clay County and recently Swain County.
The survey results have been used in part with the Safe Schools Healthy Students grant and other county civic organizations in order to approach issues with clear evidence of local problems.
The Mendez program, a K- 12 drug and alcohol prevention program, will be introduced in the county school curriculumin the fall.
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer
Dr. John Crosby, Cherokee County Drug Coalition Director, revealed information to the coalition on March 13 that included the drug, alcohol, and weapon use behavior of Cherokee County fifth graders.
Based upon the data compiled by the county wide Pride Survey, local fifth graders appeared to be experimenting with inhalants such as glue and gasoline.
Though only 1.2% of the 257 students said that their friends would approve of inhalants, 7.2% said that such drugs are easy to get.
The availability of household and school products that can be huffed and inhaled for a high appeared to be the problem. Though a child may not use inhalents or any other drug as early as fifth grade, the availability of such substances can provide a future risk to any child.
"Fifth grade is the experimental era," explained Dr. John Crosby.
The coalition continued to look at the demographic as a helpful tool in understanding when drug habits are learned and what action to take to combat those behaviors.
"This information enables us to be targetted and specific," said Sue Lynn Ledford.
Approximately 60% of the children said that they weren't sharing their problems with their parents.
The coalition discussed the lack of communication between at risk children and their parents as an avenue to explore and provide solutions in order to bridge the communication gap.
A positive impact for children in the 10-12 age group could be made if they understand early on the real consequences of drug use through discussions of healthy choices at school and at home.
"Research tells us that for behavior to change, they need to hear a consistant message," said Ledford. "With this, we will decrease the numbers."
The Pride survey in Cherokee County has given the coalition valuable data that could be effective in all arenas of drug, alcohol, and violence prevention. Other counties have taken part in the survey, including Clay County and recently Swain County.
The survey results have been used in part with the Safe Schools Healthy Students grant and other county civic organizations in order to approach issues with clear evidence of local problems.
The Mendez program, a K- 12 drug and alcohol prevention program, will be introduced in the county school curriculumin the fall.