Researchers in U.S. state of Nevada completed a study that showed that children are more
likely to use drugs
for the first time during the summer months. Researchers concluded that a lack of
supervision, cheap prices
and absence of alternative productive activities contributed to the high incidence of
summer drug usage.
Alcohol was found to be the drug of choice because of its wide availability and low price.
The study was conducted by the Health and Human Services and the Department of Education
for Nebraska Partners in Prevention. Researchers surveyed 6520 tenth graders. The trend of
increased usage of drugs
during the summer was found in all demographic populations regardless of socio-economic
background.
According to the survey conducted in 2003, the average age children first tried cigarettes
was 12.5 years, alcohol
was 12.8 years and marijuana 13.9 years. The survey stated that the average age of regular
alcohol use was
14.6 years.
The survey revealed that June and July were peek periods for tobacco and marijuana use
among adolescents
under 18 years. December and January saw the highest first time usage of alcohol.
Laurie Sutter, behavioral health prevention program manager with Nebraska Health and Human
Services, said
lack of supervision was likely to blame, although that didn't prove true for teens using
alcohol.
In addition the survey revealed that of the 6520 students polled 64.5% of them stated that
the last time they drank alcohol they received it from an adult over 21 years old while
36.5% of the youngsters reported an adult present
at the time of consumption. Alcohol was found to be the drug of choice.
Susie Dugan, executive director of PRIDE-Omaha, a youth drug awareness group, commented on
the findings
of the survey. She stated that many parents aren't aware of the wide availability of drugs
and alcohol. She recommended that parents involve their children in supervised activities
during the summer months or help
them find work.
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