| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Betsy Glick - (703) 706-0560 x246 |
| July 18, 2002 | CONTACT: Cliff Kai - (703) 706-0560 X224 |
CADCA PLEASED WITH SURVEY THAT SHOWS DROP IN POST-SEPT.11 TEEN
DRUG USE
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is pleased with the results of a PRIDE Survey that shows a significant drop in drug and alcohol use among U.S. students following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The PRIDE study shows overall illicit drug use among students fell to its lowest level in eight years, while drinking and smoking dropped to 15 year lows. More than 101,000 students in grades 6 through 12 nationwide participated in the survey between August 2001 and June 2002.
"Instead of using drugs and alcohol to cope with the terrorist attacks, I am pleased to see that our children refocused on family, friends and community activities," General Dean said. "Children today realize that drugs and terror simply have no place in our society and I hope that this downward trend continues."
Combined annual use of any illicit drug use fell from 24.6 percent to 22.3 percent, a nine percent decrease. Alcohol use dropped from 52.1 to 50.4 percent, a three percent rate of decline. The largest decrease came from cigarette use, which dropped from 30.5 to 26.4 percent, a 13 percent drop.
The study also found that
schools and parents are taking more responsibility for prevention after September
11. "I hope that this renewed sense of interest in our childrens' lives
flourishes, or the devastating effects of drug use on our communities will
rebound. If more parents continue to communicate and show a genuine interest
in their children, these numbers might go down even further," General
Dean said.
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Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is the premier national membership
organization providing training, information and support to anti-drug coalitions
across the country. Community anti-drug coalitions are local partnerships
between parents, teachers, young people, law enforcement, health providers,
the faith community, business and civic leaders, elected officials and concerned
citizens who unite and mobilize to make their communities safe, healthy and
drug-free -- one community at a time.