By Allan Lomax

It’s easy to be lulled into thinking that youth substance abuse is not a significant issue in Alexandria.  

But a recently released report, “Substance Abuse Prevention Plan for Alexandria,” provides a wake-up call for our entire community.  

The report, written by researchers from George Mason University under the auspices of the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria, paints a disturbing picture of youth substance abuse in the city, with alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use by some groups of middle and high school youth exceeding national rates.  

The report is based on quantitative and qualitative research findings conducted during the past year and a half, including data from the Alexandria Developmental Assets Report (March 2007), the Alexandria Youth Risk Behavior Survey (February 2008), and the Qualitative Assessment of Alexandria Youth Substance Use Report (Sept. 2008).  This research explored patterns and rates of substance abuse among middle and high school youth attending Alexandria’s public schools as well as student, parent and community attitudes and opinions about use and abuse of alcohol, marijuana and tobacco among city youth.    

The findings are disturbing. Too many Alexandria youth use alcohol, marijuana and tobacco, and for several groups of young people, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use exceeds national rates.  For example, in high school, 81 percent of white youth report that they have consumed alcohol. Current heavy alcohol use (more than five drinks in a row at one time) for white (34 percent) and black (14 percent) youth in Alexandria exceeds national rates (30 percent for whites and 11 percent for blacks).

While national rates of marijuana use are 20 percent for high school students and 14 percent for middle school students, in Alexandria, higher rates of marijuana use are reported by white high school youth (25 percent) and by middle school Hispanic (19 percent) and black youth (16 percent).  As for tobacco, 15 percent of high school youth report having smoked a cigarette in the past month. Hispanic youth (56 percent), in particular, reported higher rates of lifetime cigarette use than their peers.

Why are we seeing these raised rates of substance abuse?  The research suggests some answers. It’s a case of easy supply, few consequences for use, and lack of effective parenting skills, coupled with a need for more community-wide education about youth substance abuse.  The majority of youth reported that illegal substances are either “sort of” or “very easy” to get through family, friends, strangers, stealing, using fake ID cards, and marijuana dealers.  While 45 percent of youth said they would not be caught by their parents if they drank alcohol without permission, 35 percent said they would not be caught by police for alcohol or marijuana use. Parental attitudes towards youth substance abuse could also contribute to substance availability and use.  Some parents support youth substance abuse by “turning a blind eye” or by viewing substance abuse as a “part of normal development.”  What is the silver lining here, you might ask?  The community is concerned and is asking for more resources to prevent youth s
ubstance abuse.  Research shows that all sectors of the community report wanting more information about youth substance abuse.

As the familiar proverb says, “It takes a village …” Addressing the problem of substance use and abuse among youth will take the entire Alexandria community.  We need the help of law enforcement, schools, local retailers, and other community members—with parents and young people at the forefront of this effort. In one of our studies, we found that only 47 percent of youth would probably or definitely talk to their parents if they had an important concern about drugs, alcohol or another serious issue.   That’s less than half, so what about the other youth out there?  To whom do they turn?  

SAPCA recently received a federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) five-year grant for more than $600,000 that will support the work of the coalition in preventing and reducing substance abuse among Alexandria’s youth.  This funding supports SAPCA as we engage the entire community in reducing youth substance abuse. Alexandria’s young people need your help.   Together we can reduce the rates of youth substance abuse in Alexandria.  

Lomax is the Chair of the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria and the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria