1	Canton High School Student Survey September 2007
2	Table of Contents Reading the Survey 3 - 8 Chapter 1: Survey Conclusions 9 - 19 Chapter 2: Homework and Grades 20 - 29 Chapter 3: Activities 30 - 36 Chapter 4: Presence of Adults 37 - 55 Chapter 5: Friends 56 - 68 Chapter 6: General Health 69 - 91 Chapter 7: Attitudes About Unsafe Behaviors 92 - 106 Chapter 8: Smoking 107 - 111 Chapter 9: Alcohol Use 112 - 128 Chapter 10: Legal Drug Misuse 129 - 131 Chapter 11: Illegal Drug Use 132 - 148
3	How the Data was Collected From September 28 – October 3, 471 students at Canton High School participated in an extensive survey about their attitudes and behaviors regarding typical high school health issues. The survey was designed by the Canton Community of Concern, based on similar surveys given by other communities in the Farmington Valley and the State of Connecticut. The point was to get information about Canton’s kids! Students took the survey on-line in the school’s computer labs, supervised by independent monitors, and with complete anonymity.
4	How the Data was Analyzed Filters, such as gender, grade, and a variety of other variables were applied to the data to analyze differences between and among subgroups. On two evenings in October and November, sub-committees of the Community of Concern met to review the data. The data reviews were then collated, and additional filters were applied to answer specific questions about certain sub-groups, for example the group of students who say they are “unhealthy” or the group of students who “eat 1 meal per day with their family”. This analysis, combined with the raw data from the surveys, was used to create this report. There are an infinite number of possible filters and possible studies that could be achieved. Community of Concern has tried to present the most comprehensive picture of student behaviors and choices in the context of the most important variables.
5	How to Read this Report The following 147 charts show the data for CHS students for most of the questions in the Community of Concern survey. Questions about height and weight, for example, could not be charted. The slides following each chart provide additional analysis of that question, including the data for specific sub-groups such as females, males, grades, and so on. The data was not interpreted in the report itself, but Chapter 1: Survey Conclusions does provide this type of analysis. Whether to read the conclusions, or read only the data and reach your own conclusions, is up to each reader. Sometimes the data created more questions. Focus groups made up of high school students helped us answer those questions. The focus group questions and the students’ comments are also included in this report.
6	How to Read this Report Read the charts carefully! Some show percentages of students; some show number of students. Read the charts carefully! Some show data for ALL Canton students; some show data for ONLY those students who reported a specific behavior. This is an important distinction. For example, one chart shows that 103 students out of 471 (or 22%) HAVE smoked a cigarette. The next chart shows that 25% of those 103 students (or 23 students) smoked their first cigarette between 12 and 13 years of age. This DOES NOT mean that 25% of Canton’s 12 – 13 year olds are smoking. It means that 4.8% of the students who smoke (or 23 students out of 471) started smoking at 12 - 13.
7	How to Read this Report Additional considerations: KEEP the dates of the survey, September 30^th – October 3^rd in mind! Some of the questions asked students “Using the past week as an example, how many times did you …”. Therefore, time spent playing soccer is part of the survey, but time spent wrestling or playing basketball or softball (which were not in season) is not included. Some questions asked students “During the past month…” and September was warm, so some activities students marked as taking place “outside” might be marked “at the homes of others” if the survey had been given in the winter. September, the first month of school, also has an impact on how students may have scored the amount of time they spend on homework, their level of stress, their sense of their own well-being, and so on.
8	How to Read this Report Read Chapter-by-Chapter! There is a great deal of information in this report, but it requires more than a cursory look. When a reader thinks of his or her own child, any one behavior, by itself, may not be an issue; but patterns of behaviors may be worrisome. For example, some data shows that 93 students do ½ hour or less of homework each night. This data further shows this group is more likely to engage in unsafe choices regarding drugs and alcohol. 67% of them spend the majority of their time “hanging out with friends.” However, a handful of them report spending the majority of their time “playing a musical instrument.” What effect do these two separate activities have on students who do not do homework? To answer that question, families need to look at other factors in the survey. The data has been grouped by topics of interest and there is a great deal that can be learned from each section separately. It will take some time for the Community of Concern and the Canton Public Schools to respond to all of the separate questions and issues highlighted by the data. No one approach will be effective for all issues, so watch for a variety of responses and programs to emerge.
9	Chapter 1: Survey Conclusions
10	Survey Conclusions: What the Data Tells Us: The following 3 slides show several key indicators of unsafe teen behaviors. Students exhibiting these indicators are more likely to engage in unsafe behaviors. Examples of unsafe behaviors include: smoking, drinking, riding in cars with people who have been drinking, misusing legal drugs, and using illegal drugs, etc. None of the indicators by itself is problematic; but if patterns emerge concerning a teen, there is likely to be cause for concern. The most common age for beginning unsafe behaviors was 12 – 13.
11	Survey Conclusions: 12 Indicators of unsafe behaviors and choices: Students who spend 0 – ½ hour per day on homework (Chapter 2) Students who spend 3+ hours alone per day (Chapter 4) Students who do not eat 1 meal per day with their family (Chapter 4)
12	Survey Conclusions: 12 Indicators of unsafe behaviors and choices: Parents who “rarely” or “never” know where their teen is when the teen is away from home (Chapter 4) Parents who “rarely” or “never” know with whom their teen hangs out (Chapter 4) Parents who “sometimes,” “rarely,” or “never” set clear rules about use of alcohol or drugs (Chapter 4) Students who report they “rarely” or “never” feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with their parents (Chapter 4)
13	Survey Conclusions: 12 Indicators of unsafe behaviors and choices: Students who smoke (Chapter 7) Students whose friends smoke, drink, or use marijuana (Chapter 5) Students who report no close friendships within Canton High School (Chapter 5) Students who feel they are in “fair” or “poor” mental and physical health (Chapter 5) Students who spend more than 3 hours during the 5 weekdays “hanging out with friends” (Chapters 3, 9, 10, and 11)
14	Survey Conclusions: What can parents do immediately? Intervene before it’s too late! Eat 1 meal per day with your children Set expectations for homework (in terms of stress, the healthiest groups of students do 1 – 2 and 2 – 3 hours of homework per night) Arrange the schedule so that your children are not home alone more than an average of 2 hours daily Know where your children are, and with whom, when they are not at home.
15	Survey Conclusions: What can parents do immediately? Intervene before it’s too late! Set clear rules about the use of alcohol and drugs Become more aware of stress levels and more informed about stress reduction Help your student become involved in civic organizations and volunteering in the community Limit the amount of time your student spends “hanging out with friends”
16	Survey Conclusions: What can the Community of Concern do? The majority of students consistently ranked issues such as alcohol and marijuana use, driving while drinking, and heroin use as “extreme” or “important.” yet the survey data also shows that our students do not want their parents to be more informed about teens’ issues and problems (other than stress). Students want the school to provide the resources, and they want, with their own peers, to be able handle these issues on their own, but they don’t want their parents “harping at them.” This creates a paradox: The survey data consistently shows that parent involvement is a factor in safer choices. Therefore, parent involvement will be one of our goals.
17	Survey Conclusions: What can the Community of Concern do? The data consistently showed that students who try smoking and alcohol, who misuse legal drugs, and use illegal drugs begin experimenting at ages 12 – 13, and then again at 15. Since parent involvement in a key factor, this involvement needs to start much sooner. Intervene before it’s too late. Students told us in a focus group, that 11^th and 12^th grade is too late for anything other than interventions with students they feel are at extreme risk.
18	What Can We Do? All Students
19	So, we asked them… FOCUS GROUPS Which programs do you like and do you think work? “Programs don’t really help. Most people don’t care because they are not doing whatever the program is about and the people who are doing it, don’t listen. It’s just a way to get out of class.” “Mad Dog! Loved him! But it doesn’t make a difference.” “Love all the assemblies. Any speakers are more interesting than being in class.” “Get small programs for the people with the extreme problems.” “People who have these extreme problems have to help themselves. They’re not going to stop doing it because of an assembly.” “McCall’s, yes. It could help.“ “Only drinking and driving programs make a difference, but only for a while. I might give it a second thought getting into a car.” The biggest impact on drinking and driving is when someone dies.”
20	Chapter 2: Homework and Grades
21	Homework All students
22	Homework All students 9th Graders spend the most amount of time – 34% spend more than 2 hours; 16% spend 0 – ½ hour 12^th Graders spend the least amount of time – 13% spend more than 2 hours; 44% spend 0 – ½ hour Girls at all grade levels spent more time on homework 50% of the girls in Grades 9 & 10 spend 2 - 3 hours per night 50% of the boys in Grades 9 & 10 spend 1 – 2 hours per night By Grades 10 & 11, the #1 answer for both girls and boys is 1 – 2 hours; but more girls than boys continue to spend 2 – 3 hours or more than 3 hours A later slide correlates 1 – 2 hours per night with better “mental health.”
23	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS Freshmen report spending more time on homework. Do they misuse the time with interruptions for snack and breaks? Do freshmen misjudge the amount of time? Are they exaggerating? Are they inefficient? According to students at every grade level, freshmen do spend significantly more time doing homework, especially more than seniors. They take more core courses. Older classmen believe freshmen “do every bit of homework because they’re still young and they’re afraid of getting in trouble.” As students get older, they “realize it really doesn’t matter,” especially in senior year. Freshmen “haven’t learned any shortcuts yet” and “do it all themselves.” By junior and senior year, “you know how to take shortcuts” and “you know what’s important and what isn’t.”
24	So, we asked … FOCUS GROUPS Freshmen report spending more time on homework. Is this appropriate? What are they spending the time doing? Students at each grade believe “seniors have earned the right to kick back.” Freshmen “should have it the worst.” Students “plan their schedules in grades 9 – 11, so that in senior year they will have the fewest possible number of heavy courses and electives.” Freshman year social studies has “a very large amount of homework;” social studies “at every grade level has more homework.” Freshmen year, “the work is piled on” and the students could get two papers, a test, and a project in the same week. A 2 – 3 page paper takes 2 – 3 hours, even when the Power Outline in done ahead of time. “Teachers don’t adjust if there is a lot of homework in other classes; they only care about their own class.”
25	So, we asked … FOCUS GROUPS Freshmen report spending more time on homework. What’s the difference between important and unimportant homework? Students asked, “Why do we write 2 – 3 page papers on questions we’ve already discussed in class?” “Why do we do class work at home?” For example, group work that didn’t get finished in class and they have to find a time to call everyone to finish it. Students reported that homework is “piled on whenever grades close, progress reports are due, or there is a vacation coming up.” They view this “as a problem of the teachers’ that is being forced on them.” They feel that this happens if the teacher didn’t finish a unit, or doesn’t have enough grades in the grade book, or figures that if they are working hard to catch up on the grading, then the kids should be working even harder.”
26	2 – 3 Hours Homework 126 students 126 students spend 2 – 3 hours per night doing homework They indicate safer choices and behaviors throughout the survey 90% have A’s and B’s None are smokers Their friends are 3% - 10% more likely to be non-users of substances 50% of them (vs. 60% of the general population) drink and they were 14 years (vs. 12 – 13) when they first tried drinking The majority of them had 0 drinks in the past month and they usually consume 1 drink when they drink 12% (vs. 29% of the general population) had been drunk in the month of September 8% (or 10 students) have used an illegal drug (vs. 23% of the general population)
27	0 – ½ Hour Homework 93 students 93 students do 0 – ½ hours: 15 are in 9^th, 14 in 10^th, 23 in 11^th, and 41 in 12^th 70% are male They are more likely to engage in risky behaviors Their grades are lower, although 51% got mostly A and B’s (vs. 77% of the general population and 90% of the “2 -3 hours on homework” group) 29% smoke cigarettes occasionally; 20% are heavy smokers (vs. 0% of the “2 -3 hours on homework” group) 48% said “some” or “most” of their friends smoke, 72% said “some” or “most” use alcohol, and 57% said “some” or “most” use marijuana 32% drink 2 – 4 days a month, 24% drink 1 – 3 days a week 37% consume 5 or more drinks when they drink 40% (vs. 29% of the general population and 12% of the “2 -3 hours on homework” group) had been drunk in the month of September 45% (or 38) have used an illegal drug (vs. 23% of the general population and 8% of the “2 -3 hours on homework” group)
28	So, we asked … FOCUS GROUPS There was a correlation between 2 – 3 hours a night and 3+ hours a night and “fair mental health.” What explains this? “More homework equals less sleep, and then you don’t feel good the next day.” “Students are also encouraged to participate in clubs or sports for their resumes. That means you’re going to be up to 11:30 or 12:00.” (75% of the 9 – 10^th grade focus group said they are up to 11:00 or later nightly.) “Parents try to take the stress away by saying, ‘go to bed,’ but if you do [go to bed] and you don’t have the work done, you’ll get bad grades, and then they’ll be mad.” “They say ‘don’t worry about it,’ or ‘worry about it tomorrow,’ but they don’t mean it. They’re just mad.” “They try to help, but they make it worse, by putting pressure on.”
29	Grades All students
30	Chapter 3: Activities
31	3+ h/p/w Sports, Exercising 253 students 253 students spend 3 or more hours on the 5 week days playing sports, dancing, working out, etc. 40% are female; 60% are male; 0% got D’s or F’s; 82% got mostly A’s or B’s 78% of these students (vs. 70% of the general population) have close CHS friendships 61% (vs. 53% in the general population) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 80% live with both parents (vs. 75%) 16% (38 students) have tried smoking (vs. 22%) 63% (159 students) have tried drinking (vs. 60%) 23% (58 students) have tried illegal drugs (vs. 23%) Their numbers for being drunk, # of drinks, occasional or regular use of marijuana, use of other drugs, etc. mirror the general population
32	3+ h/p/w TV or Video Games 128 students 128 students spend 3 or more hours on the 5 week days watching TV or playing video games 40% are female; 60% are male; 4% got D’s or F’s; 76% got mostly A’s or B’s 72% of these students (vs.70% of the general population) have close CHS friendships 50% (vs. 53% in the general population) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 69% live with both parents (vs. 75%) 22% (28 students) have tried smoking (vs. 22%) 61% (78 students) have tried drinking (vs. 60%) 24% (21 students) have tried illegal drugs (vs. 23%) Their numbers for being drunk, # of drinks, occasional or regular use of marijuana, use of other drugs, etc. mirror the general population
33	3+ h/p/w On-Line 126 students 126 students spend 3 or more hours on the 5 week days on-line, using email, surfing the web, i.m.-ing 50% are female; 50% are male; 2% got D’s or F’s; 76% got mostly A’s or B’s 75% of these students (vs.70% of the general population) have close CHS friendships 52% (vs. 53% in the general population) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 72% live with both parents (vs. 75%) 29% (35 students) have tried smoking (vs. 22%) 62% (76 students) have tried drinking (vs. 60%) 29% (35 students) have tried illegal drugs (vs. 23%) Their numbers for being drunk, # of drinks, occasional or regular use of marijuana, use of other drugs, etc. mirror the general population
34	3+ h/p/w Practicing Musical Instrument 65 students 65 students spend 3 or more hours on the 5 week days practicing a musical instrument 32% are female; 68% are male; 3% got D’s or F’s; 85% got mostly A’s or B’s 73% of these students (vs.70% of the general population) have close CHS friendships 53% (vs. 53% in the general population) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 83% live with both parents (vs. 75%) 25% (16 students) have tried smoking (vs. 22%) 58% (37 students) have tried drinking (vs. 60%) 6% (4 students) have tried illegal drugs (vs. 23%) Their numbers for being drunk, # of drinks, # of days they drink, etc. were slightly higher than the general population. 6% reported having tried marijuana once; 0% reported occasionally or regularly using marijuana; 0% reported using other drugs listed.
35	3+ h/p/w Hanging Out 207 students 65 students spend 3 or more hours on the 5 week days hanging out with their friends 45% are female; 55% are male; 6% got D’s or F’s; 70% got mostly A’s or B’s 76% of these students (vs.70% of the general population) have close CHS friendships 49% (vs. 53% in the general population) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 72% live with both parents (vs. 75%) 34% (69 students) have tried smoking (vs. 22%) 73% (151 students) have tried drinking (vs. 60%) 33% (67 students) have tried illegal drugs (vs. 23%) Their numbers for continuing to smoke, being drunk, # of days they drink, misuse of legal drugs, occasional and regular use of marijuana, and use of other listed drugs are 3% - 10% higher than the general population.
36	3+ h/p/w Civic Groups or Volunteering 32 students 32 students spend 3 or more hours on the 5 week days with civic groups, churches, or volunteering 50% are female; 50% are male; 4% got D’s or F’s; 78% got mostly A’s or B’s 62% of these students (vs.70% of the general population) have close CHS friendships 47% (vs. 53% in the general population) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 66% live with both parents (vs. 75%) 15% (5 students) have tried smoking (vs. 22%) 53% (17 students) have tried drinking (vs. 60%) 15% (5 students) have tried illegal drugs (vs. 23%) Significantly, (by 5% - 15%) they drank less often, fewer drinks, fewer had been drunk, 5 occasionally or regularly use marijuana, 0 have tried the other listed drugs. They also were significantly older when they tried these substances, 15 – 16 yrs. (vs. 12 – 13)
37	Chapter 4: Presence of Adults
38	Presence of Adults All students
39	Family Meals All students
40	0 - 2 Hours Alone Daily 205 students 205 students (44%) spend 0 - 2 daily hours alone 40% are female; 60% are male; 80% get mostly A’s and B’s 77% of these students (vs. 67% of the general population) report very good or excellent health 64% (vs. 53%) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 51% say their parents “always” know where they are, and 48% say their parents “always” know with whom (vs. 39% and 38% of the general population respectively) 64% of their parents “always” express clear rules about drugs and tobacco (vs. 55% of the general population). 75% live with both parents, same as the general population. 42% would go to their parent first with a serious problem (vs. 35% of the general population)
41	3+ Hours Alone Daily 256 students 256 students (56%) spend 3+ hours per day alone; 153 of the 256 (60%) spend 4+ hours alone 54% are female; 44% are male; 73% get mostly A’s and B’s 49% of these students (vs. 67% of the general population, and 77% from the “0-2 hours-alone” group) report very good or excellent health 44% (vs. 53% of the general population, and 64% from the “0-2 hours-alone” group) eat at least 1 meal a day with family 32% say their parents “always” know where they are (vs. 39% of the general population and 51% from the “0-2 hours-alone” group) 27% say their parents “always” know with whom (vs. 38% from the general population, and 48% from the “0-2 hours-alone” group)
42	3+ Hours Alone Daily (continued) 256 students 256 students (56%) spend 3+ hours per day alone; 153 of the 256 (60%) spend 4+ hours alone 48% of their parents “always” express clear rules about drugs and tobacco (vs. 55% of the general population and 64% from the “0-2 hours-alone” group) 75% live with both parents, same as all other groups 30% would go to their parent first with a serious problem (vs. 35% of the general population and 42% of the “0-2 hours-alone” group)
43	Time spent alone correlates to unsafe behaviors 205 students (44%) spend 0 - 2 daily hours alone 14% (28 students) have tried smoking; 7 are heavy smokers Their friends are consistently 7 - 10% less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as driving with people who have been drinking 55% of them (vs. 60% of the general population) drink 21% reported having been drunk in the past month (vs. 29% in the general population) Their numbers for how much they drink and where they drink were 3% - 10% lower, for example: 29% (vs. 32% in the general population) drink at home 32% (vs. 37% in the general population) drink with older friends 31% (vs. 40%in the general population) drink at the homes of other people 17% (or 35) have used an illegal drug (vs. 23% of the general population)
44	Time spent alone correlates to unsafe behaviors 256 students (56%) spend 3 or more hours alone 29% (72 students) have tried smoking; 11 are heavy smokers Their friends are consistently 5% more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as driving with people who have been drinking 64% (vs. 60% of the general population and 55% in the “0-2 hours alone” group) drink 33% reported having been drunk in the past month (vs. 29% in the general population and 21% in the “0-2 hours alone” group) Their numbers for how much they drink and where they drink were 2% - 5% higher, for example: 34% (vs. 32% in the general population and 29% in the “0-2 hours alone” group) drink at home 40% (vs. 37% in the general population and 32% in the “0-2 hours alone” group) drink with older friends 46% (vs. 40% in the general population and 31% in the “0-2 hours alone” group) drink at the homes of other people 27% (or 65 students) have used an illegal drug (vs. 23% of the general population and 17% in the “0-2 hours alone” group)
45	Parents/Guardians All students
46	Parents Always Know… 138 students 138 students said that their parents always knew where they were and with whom when they were not at home 69% were 9^th and 10^th graders; 12% were 12^th graders 57% were female 83% live with both parents 50% of them said they would go to a parent first if they had a problem (vs. 36% of the general population) When asked about their friends, the data was better than for the general population 73% said “none” of their friends smoked (vs. 53%) 86% said “none” of their friends traveled in cars with drivers who were drinking (vs. 65%) 50% said “none” of their friends use alcohol (vs. 30%) 64% said “none” of their friends use marijuana (vs. 42%)
47	Parents Always Know… 138 students When the 138 students reported on their own choices… 94% had never smoked (vs. 78% in the general population) 60% had never used alcohol (vs. 40%) Among the 40% (54 students) who had tried alcohol: 56% (29) hadn’t had a drink in the past month (vs. 41%) 62% (27) drink 1 drink when they drink (vs. 38%) 7% (3) drink 5 or more drinks when they drink (vs. 22%) 10% (5) had been drunk in the past month (vs. 29%) 7% (10) of the 138 students had tried illegal drugs 2 had tried marijuana, 6 occasionally use marijuana; 2 regularly use marijuana 1 - 2 students had tried other drugs, such as hallucinogens, PCP, inhalants
48	Parents Rarely or Never Know… 14 students 14 students said that their parents “rarely” or “never” knew where they were and with whom when they were not at home They had poor attendance rates, with 70% having been both absent and tardy 11+ times last year (vs. 11% among the general population) 50% (7) said they had not eaten a meal with their family in the past week (vs. 10%) 8 live with both parents; 6 live with their mother only None of them (0%) would go to their parent first if they had a problem; 4 would go their parent as a third choice; the remaining 8 would not go to a parent When asked about their friends, the data was more unsafe than for the general population 43% said “most” of their friends smoked (5.2%) 36% said “most” traveled in cars with drinkers (vs. 3%) 51% said “most” of their friends use alcohol (vs. 19%) 58% said “most” of their friends use marijuana (vs. 11%)
49	Parents Rarely or Never Know… 14 students When the 14 students reported on their own choices… 71% had smoked (vs. 22% in the general population) 3 had begun smoking after age 16 77% had used alcohol (vs. 60% of the general population) Among the 77% (10 students) who had tried alcohol: 3 were drinking 2 -3 days per month 3 were drinking 2 -3 days per week 6 drink 5 or more drinks when they drink 6 had been drunk in the past month 12 (86%) had tried illegal drugs (vs. 22%) 2 occasionally use marijuana; 6 regularly use marijuana 1 - 2 students regularly use each of the other drug families, such as hallucinogens, PCP, inhalants
50	Parents/Guardians All students
51	Rarely or Never Feel Comfortable… 107 students 107 students said they “rarely” or “never” felt comfortable sharing their thoughts with their parents They were equally distributed across all grades They were evenly males and females (51% and 49% respectively) 64% (vs. 70%) had close relationships with other students Their parents “mostly” or ‘sometimes” knew where they were or with whom 13% said their parents “always” or “mostly” participated in their activities at school (vs. 34%); 34% said they “never” did this (vs. 17%) 55% would go to their parents first, second, or third if they had a problem
52	Parents/Guardians All students
53	Wish parents knew more about… All students
54	Wish Parents Knew More About… All students In general, students do not want their parents to be more informed about teen issues The three issues with the highest “yes” responses were: How to help me with Depression or Stress 36% (161 students) said “Yes” 64% (293 students) said “No” Eating and Nutrition 30% (133 students) said “Yes” 70% (315 students) said “No” Drugs and Alcohol 14% (62 students) said “Yes” 86% (380 students) said “No”
55	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS Why don’t you want parents to know more about these issues? “They won’t stop talking.” “They push too much. It’s overkill with everything. They don’t know when to stop.” “They put pressure on where there isn’t any need to put pressure on.” “They don’t have any influence over us anyway.” “We want them to just pick up on it. We’re not going to say, ‘So, let’s sit down and talk about drugs, today. But that’s the way the parents want to handle it.” “Informed parents would make it harder to get away with things. That has a domino effect, and hurts your friends.” “It’s OK for parents to know about stress, because that’s a day-to-day thing, not a value.”
56	Chapter 5: Friends
57	Close Friendships All students
58	Close Friendships All students 9^th grade: 80% females and 78% of 9^th males report having close friendships 10^th grade: 67% of females and 77% of males report having close friendships 11^th grade: 63% of females and 56% of males report having close friendships 12^th grade: 71% females and 70% of 12^th males report having close friendships
59	No Close Friendships 29 students 29 students (6.2%), grades 9 – 12 report having no close friendships 55% (or 16 students) were 11^th graders 67% (or 18 students) were females 10% were A students; 73% were B/C students; 17% got D’s/F’s Only 27% of them ate a meal with their family (vs. 53%) Only 57% (vs. 75%) live with both parents 42% of them have tried smoking (vs. 22%); they were 10 – 11, vs. 12 – 13 when they first tried smoking Their numbers for alcohol use mirrored the general population, with these exceptions: 34% got alcohol from their parents with permission (vs.19%) 47% got alcohol from their parents w/o permission (vs. 33%) Fewer of them, 12%, have tried an illegal drug (vs. 23%); 4 were regular users of marijuana
60	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS The question asked about whether or not you had close friends at CHS. In the write-in section of the survey, this question was a hot-button. Many people wrote in, “Why is it your business whether or not I have friends?” Why was this such a touchy question? “There’s a big difference between a lot of friends and having close friends.” “You only need one or a few close friends. You don’t have to be close friends with everyone.” “A lot of Canton kids have close friends in Avon or other communities.” “As you get older, you have a car, go more places, you’re busier, you work, you don’t have as many cliques as you had in 9^th and 10^th grade when you didn’t drive.” “Canton kids aren’t friends by grades, so you may friends in upper classes that move on.”
61	Friends’ Behaviors… All students Students were asked about their friends’ behavior to determine if there was a difference in %’s between what behaviors students reported their “friends did” and what behaviors were actually reported. In other words, was perception reality? The correlations were relatively consistent: 5% of students said most of their friends were smokers; 4% of the student body smokes 5 or more cigarettes a day 19% said most of their friends drink alcohol; 16% of the student body said they had been drunk in September, 21% had a drink 3 or more times in September 11% said most of their friends use marijuana; 18% of student body occasionally or regularly uses marijuana
62	Friends’ behaviors… All students
63	Friends’ behaviors… All students
64	Friends’ behaviors… All students
65	Friends’ behaviors… All students
66	Friends’ Behaviors… All students The correlations between friends’ behaviors and students’ own behaviors were also relatively consistent: Of the 20 students who said most of their friends were smokers, 15 (75%) also smoked Of the 76 students who said most of their friends use alcohol; 58 (76%) had used alcohol 2 -3 days or more in September 38 students (58%) drink 5 or more drinks when they drink 46 students (61%) had been drunk in September 68 students (90%) drank with friends 34 students (45%) drank with older siblings
67	Friends’ Behaviors… (continued) All students The correlations between friends’ behaviors and students’ own behaviors were also relatively consistent: Of the 52 students who say most of their friends use marijuana, 34 (66%) also occasionally or regularly use marijuana 11 of the 34 say they were 14 when they first tried marijuana Of the 24 students who say some or most of their friends have tried drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or PCP, 15 (or 63%) also occasionally or regularly use cocaine, heroin, or PCP. 8 of these students first tried cocaine, heroin, or PCP at 14. 8 say they use these drugs at home; 8 at the homes of other people 11 say outside in woods or parks 10 say with older friends 9 say while a passenger in a car 6 say during the regular school day
68	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS Teens often say, ‘just because my friends are doing it, doesn’t mean I’m doing it,’ yet the data showed a correlation between what teens reported their friends were doing and what they self-reported they were doing. What are your thoughts on this? “A lot of people do what their friends are doing.” “You tend to hang out with people who like and do the same things that you do. People who are like you.” “It’s unlikely that you would like to spend time with people who don’t share your same values.” People say, ‘You’ve changed. I don’t know who you’re hanging out with these days, and you’re hanging out with the same people.” “Same values, same friends.” Both groups agreed there are exceptions. “There are a few exceptions when you have one big thing in common. Like you play the same sport or work at the same place.”
69	Chapter 6: General Health
70	General Health All students
71	Poor or Fair Health 53 students 53 students said they were in “poor” or “fair” health 15 were 9^th graders, 5 were 10^th graders, 15 were 11^th graders, and 18 were 12^th graders 30 (59%) were females 26 spent 0 – 1 hour per week exercising; 9 spent more than 3 hours a week 21 were absent 6+ days a year; 19 were tardy 6+ days 35 (67%) spent 3+ hours per day alone 50% said they had close friendships (vs. 70% in the general population); 15% had no close friendships (vs. 6%) 40% felt they were “just the right weight” (vs. 65%); 44% felt they were a little or very overweight (vs. 21%) 20% had fasted and 12% had purged to lose weight (vs. 8% and 3% of the general population)
72	Poor or Fair Health 53 students 25% eat 1 meal or more a day with their family (vs. 53%) 62% said their parents always or mostly knew where they were (vs. 83%) 62% said their parents always or mostly knew the people they were with when they weren’t at home (vs. 79%) 44% said their parents never participated in their school activities (vs. 18%) 65% lived with both parents (vs. 75%) Their friends were about 10% more likely to engage in unsafe behaviors, for example: 31% said some or most of their friends smoke (vs. 21%) 60% said some or most of their friends drank (vs. 51%) 19% said some or most of their friends ride with drivers who are drinking (vs. 13%)
73	Poor or Fair Health 53 students 37% have tried smoking (vs. 22% of the general population); 5 are heavy smokers 69% have used alcohol (vs. 60%); 6 of the 53 drink 2 – 3 times a week or more; 10 of the 53 consume 5 drinks or more when they drink 7 have misused pharmaceutical drugs 28% (15 students) have used an illegal drug (vs. 23%) 48% of those students who have used an illegal drug (7 students) regularly used marijuana (vs. 24% in the general population)
74	Physical Health All students
75	Mental Health All students
76	Good Mental Health 295 students 295 students reported they were in good mental health They were equally distributed across all grades; slightly more were males (60%) They were mid-range on time spent on homework – 46% spent 1 - 2 hours per day; 36% (vs. 71% on the next slide who reported “poor mental health”) spent 2+ hours 53% were B students (vs. 45%); none were F students They were more likely to exercise or be involved sports (67% vs. 45%) and more likely to be involved in community organizations (24% vs. 0%) They ate more meals with their families 55% ate 1+ meals a day (vs. 35%); 9% ate 0 meals that week (vs. 23%) More reported very good or excellent physical health (63% vs. 40%) Fewer of them reported fair or poor physical health (9% vs. 22%)
77	Poor Mental Health 27 students 27 students reported they were in poor mental health 30 days They were equally distributed across all grades; slightly more males (56%) They were at the upper ends of the time spent on homework – 71% spent 2+ hours per day 45% were B students; none were F students They were less likely to exercise or be involved sports (45% vs. 66%) and less likely to be involved in community organizations (0% vs. 24%) They ate fewer meals with their families 35% ate 1 meal a day (vs. 55%); 23% ate 0 meals that week (vs. 9%) However, they spent less time home alone than their peers They were not absent or tardy more frequently than their peers Fewer reported very good or excellent physical health (40% vs. 63%) More of them reported fair or poor physical health (22% vs. 9%)
78	Good Mental Health 295 students Their numbers for trying cigarettes (19%), drinking (60%), and illegal drugs (22%) mirror their peers, except among those who engaged in these behaviors, they were older Cigarettes – 54% (29) were 15 or older (vs. 0%) Alcohol – 54% (98) of drinkers were 14 or older (vs. 31%) Illegal Drug – 81% (50) of drug users were 14 or older (vs. 48%) 29% (49) say they drink 2 – 4 days a month (vs. 41%), but 14% (24) are drinking 1+ times a week (vs. 0%); 48 (29%) had been drunk 19% (31) say they sometimes or always get alcohol from their parents with their knowledge (vs. 42%) Of the 17 (27%) students who say they regularly use illegal drugs, 13 use pot, 1 each use inhalants, crack, cocaine, hallucinogens 46 students also occasionally use illegal drugs: 36 use pot; 6 use hallucinogens; 1 each uses crack, Ecstasy, inhalants
79	Poor Mental Health 25 students Their numbers for trying cigarettes (8), drinking (18), and illegal drugs (6) mirror their peers, except among those who engaged in these behaviors, they were younger Cigarettes – 38% (3) were 11 or younger (vs. 8%) Alcohol – 45% (7) of drinkers were 11 or younger (vs. 17%) Illegal Drug – 34% (2) of drug users were 11 or younger (vs. 11%) 41% (7) say they drink 2 – 4 days a month (vs. 29%), but 0% are drinking 1+ times a week (vs. 14%) 42% (7) say they sometimes or always get alcohol from their parents with their knowledge (vs. 19%) Of the 6 students who say they regularly use illegal drugs, 2 use pot, 2 use hallucinogens, 2 use crack These same 6 students also occasionally use illegal drugs: 3 use pot, 2 use inhalants, 1 each uses PCP, cocaine, hallucinogens
80	Weight All students
81	Underweight 65 students 65 students reported they were slightly to very underweight 65% were males They were equally distributed across grades 53% spent 3+ hours per week in sports or exercising 21% (14 students) reported exercising to lose weight 11% (7 students) reported fasting to lose weight 1 student purged to lose weight 73% report very good or excellent physical health Their absenteeism parallels their peers 15 students reported being very underweight; 74% were males; 46% were sophomores
82	Overweight 99 students 99 students reported they were slightly to very overweight 53% were males 30% were 9^th graders; 20% were 12^th graders 40% spent 3+ hours per week in sports or exercising (vs. 50% of the general population) 44% spent 3+ hours watching TV (vs. 27%) 60% reported close friendships (vs. 70%) 34% described their health as very good or excellent (vs. 58%) 71% reported exercising to lose weight (vs. 51%) 12% reported fasting to lose weight (vs. 8%) 8% purged to lose weight (vs. 4%)
83	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS The question, “How much do you weigh?” pushed a hot button. Through their write-in comments, many students were angry we asked this question? Since the survey was completely anonymous, pout of all the questions we asked, why was this question a problem? “It’s completely in the media, everywhere. It’s all you ever hear anyone talk about.” “There’s too much focus on skinny. Constantly harped on about this.” “Just by asking, it’s like saying we need to be thinner.” “Look at us. We’re fat. Do you think we need people reminding us of that.” “We don’t need more programs telling us McDonald’s is bad. It’s our choice. We make our own decisions.”
84	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS So, if weight is a hot button issue, what would help? “The weight room, if things worked. Too much is broken, and would you want to go there? “People would run on a track in the morning and at night if we had it. That would be more popular than weight machines.” “We’ve already been punished enough. All the soda, fatty foods, and caffeine are gone.” “Kids who play a sport should not have to take PE.”
85	Weight & Fasting All students
86	Weight & Fasting 37 students 37 students reported they fasted to lose weight 66% were females; 68% were 11 and 12^th graders 25% spent 3+ hours per week in sports or exercising (vs. 50% of the general population) 42% worked 3+ hours per week (vs. 22%) 50% spent 3+ hours hanging out with friends (vs. 43%) 51% reported having close friendships (vs. 70%) 23% described their health as very good or excellent (vs. 58%) 48% described themselves as “about the right weight” 32% described themselves as slightly overweight 20% described themselves as slightly to very underweight 68% reported exercising to lose weight (vs. 51%) 31% (11 students) purged to lose weight (vs. 4%)
87	Weight & Purging All students
88	Weight & Purging 16 students 16 students reported they purged to lose weight 60% were males; 50% were10th graders; 25% were 12th graders 20% spent 3+ hours per week in sports or exercising (vs. 50% of the general population) 25% (4) described their health as very good or excellent (vs. 58%) 44% (7) described themselves as “about the right weight” 1 student described self as slightly underweight 50% (8) described themselves as slightly to very overweight 73% reported exercising to lose weight (vs. 50%) 69% reported fasting to lose weight (vs. 8%)
89	Weight & Exercise All students
90	Weight & Exercise 231 students 231 students reported they exercised to lose weight 56% were females; they were equally distributed across grades 60% spent 3+ hours per week in sports or exercising (vs. 50% of the general population) 54% described their health as very good or excellent (vs. 58%) 64% described themselves as “about the right weight” 28% described themselves as slightly overweight 10% reported fasting to lose weight (vs. 8%) 5% purged to lose weight (vs. 4%)
91	Exercise All students
92	Chapter 7: Attitudes About Harmful Behaviors
93	Harmful behaviors… All students
94	Harmful Behaviors… All students Students feel cigarettes are more dangerous than marijuana: Smoking cigarettes occasionally: No harm – 8% (37) Some harm – 57% (261) Serious harm – 24% (110) Early death – 9% (42) Smoking cigarettes daily: No harm – 2% (8) Some harm – 9% (43) Serious harm 39% (180) Early death – 48% (223) Smoking marijuana occasionally: No harm -- 22% (101) Some harm – 41% (187) Serious harm – 27% (125) Early death – 8% (38) Smoking marijuana daily: No harm – 7% (31) Some harm – 19% (85) Serious harm -- 42% (190) Early death – 31% (142)
95	Harmful behaviors… All students
96	Harmful Behaviors… All students Students believe cigarettes are more dangerous than alcohol. They believe that both daily drinking and binging are more harmful than drinking occasionally or getting drunk. 73% of students believe that daily drinking causes serious harm or leads to early death. 80% of students believe that binge drinking causes serious harm or leads to early death. 48% of students believe that getting drunk causes serious harm or leads to early death.
97	Harmful behaviors… All students
98	Harmful Behaviors… All students 92% of students believe that using cocaine, PCP, or Ecstasy causes serious harm (130 students) or leads to early death (294 students). 87% of students believe that using inhalants causes serious harm (188 students) or leads to early death (211 students). 76% of students believe that using steroids causes serious harm (254 students) or leads to early death (98 students).
99	Problems All students
100	Problems All students
101	Problems All students
102	Problems All students
103	Problems All students
104	Problems All students The data for the previous 5 questions allowed us to rank our students’ feelings about the listed problems with these results: #1. Drinking and driving #2. Anorexia / bulimia #3. Cocaine use #4. Heroin use #5. Depression #6. Stress #7. Marijuana use Tobacco use was the lowest item listed.
105	So, we asked them… FOCUS GROUPS The previous data were shared with the groups. Why do so many people think these things are “problems that need to be addressed?” Students said that even if one or two people are doing these things, they can see it, and it’s still a problem. It doesn’t mean everyone is doing it. Students said that marijuana use and alcohol use in Avon and Canton were very high. “It is a problem,” some of them said. “It is not a problem. It is just what we choose to do. Some towns do some other things. Avon and Canton, we stick to those two.” Age made a difference in the above two positions. 9^th and 10^th graders were more likely to see marijuana and alcohol as problems.
106	So, we asked… FOCUS GROUPS This creates a paradox, if you don’t want your parents to be more informed, and you don’t think the programs really work, how do we address them? There are more students who just aren’t going to this [take heavier drugs] ever, so it’s not a big threat here.” “Kids who are doing heavier drugs, that’s their personal business. Have a way for their friends get them interventions.” “Get programs for the people with the extreme problems.” “McCall’s, yes. It could help.“ “Programs don’t really help. Most people don’t care because they are not doing whatever the program is about and the people who are doing it, don’t listen. It’s just a way to get out of class.”
107	Chapter 8: Smoking
108	Smoking All students
109	Smoking 101 students 101 Students have tried smoking 17% of the students are still smokers, i.e. they smoke 5 or more cigarettes a day 2 say daily smoking causes no harm; 6 say some harm; 3 say serious harm; 5 say it causes early death, 1 student “didn’t know” Smoking correlates with other unhealthy behaviors 88% of smokers had tried alcohol; 80% had been drunk in September 80% had tried illegal drugs; 65% occasionally or regularly use marijuana 17% occasionally or regularly use cocaine, heroin, or PCP
110	Smoking 101 Students
111	Smoking 101 Students
112	Chapter 9: Alcohol Use
113	Alcohol Use All Students
114	Alcohol Use
115	Alcohol Use
116	Alcohol Use 277 students say they have tried drinking 48% had used alcohol in September 44% are seniors; 29% were juniors; 27% each were sophomores and freshmen 48% are males; 52% are females 4 say “daily drinking” causes no harm; 43 say some harm; 61 say serious harm; 20 say it causes early death, 3 students “didn’t know” 24 say “getting drunk” causes no harm; 70 say some harm; 26 say serious harm; 9 say it causes early death, 3 students “didn’t know” 5 say “binge drinking” causes no harm; 30 say some harm; 41 say serious harm; 48 say it causes early death, 7 students “didn’t know”
117	Alcohol Use
118	Alcohol Use
119	Alcohol
120	Alcohol Use (continued) Drinking correlates with other unhealthy behaviors When asked about “riding with driver who has been drinking: 27% say 1 or 2 of their friends do this 26% say “some” of their friends do this 8% say most of their friends do this 34% drink 5 or more drinks when they drink 56% had been drunk in September 54% have also used illegal drugs 46% occasionally or regularly use marijuana 10% occasionally or regularly use hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms) 2% - 4% occasionally or regularly use cocaine, heroin, or PCP
121	Alcohol Sources
122	Alcohol Sources
123	Alcohol Use (continued) Where do they get alcohol? 25% sometimes and 5% often get alcohol from their parents with their parents’ knowledge 41% sometimes and 8% often get alcohol from their parents without their parents’ knowledge 44% sometimes and 24% often get alcohol fro