Survey: Babylon Village Youth Drug Use, Drinking on the Rise

Babylon teenagers are using alcohol and drugs at an earlier age and substance use is much more frequent than previous years, according to a new survey focused on assessing risks and factors that predict problem behaviors among youths.

Two other worrisome trends are the increased number of ninth and tenth graders who acknowledge binge drinking, and the increasing use of prescription drugs. In 2008 17.9 percent of ninth and tenth graders surveyed reported binge drinking. In 2010 that figure jumped to 21 percent.

While alcohol and marijuana remain top substances, prescription medicine is gaining in popularity. The survey reports the first use of a prescription drug among Babylon youths takes place between the ages 11 and 12.

“The numbers are rising substantially and the substance use is changing. Where it used to be alcohol it’s now pills, as youths perceive them as safe. They’re seeing much more media messaging about pills and they’re also seeing their parents use prescription drugs,” said Robin McKinnon, a prevention specialist at Long Island Prevention Resource Center,

A little more than 25 percent of seventh and eighth graders report having used alcohol, and about 8 percent report smoking marijuana and have taken prescription drugs.

Just over 60 percent of ninth and tenth graders have drank alcohol, with nearly 20 percent having smoked pot and 12 percent taking a prescription drug.

On the senior high level, nearly 80 percent have drunk alcohol, just under 40 percent have smoked pot and 15 percent have used prescription drugs.

The survey’s statistics also offers insight on how youths are obtaining drugs and alcohol. Students report their first use of a prescription drug typically happens in their own home or a friend’s home.

The New York State Youth Development Survey polled 636 students in the Babylon Junior-Senior High School during the 2010-11 school year. According to McKinnon, the survey is designed to assess risk and protective factors that predict substance use and other problem behaviors such as delinquency. The survey also measures substance use, youth gambling and other problem behaviors.

The Babylon Community Coalition, a two-year-old group focused on preventing underage drinking and drug use in the community, initiated the survey effort. The group, spearheaded by Felice Niland, has 150 members and is one of 25 coalitions in Suffolk County. The coalitions strive to foster a community culture of cohesiveness and responsibility for the well being of the community at large, according to Niland.

Babylon is one of 13 school districts that conducted the state-funded study and is the first district to publicly release the results.

The 78-page report, which is available on the district website, was presented to the Babylon School Board Monday night during the monthly work session meeting.

McKinnon commended the board and district leaders for undertaking the effort and being proactive in helping prevent substance use which typically leads to anti-social behaviors by youths, ranging from bullying to stealing and vandalism.

“The district should be applauded for its participation as many districts didn’t participate,” noted McKinnon.

The substance use trends, she stressed, are not just an issue for Babylon Village.

“Kids are growing up faster in our society. Parents today have different perspectives and different levels of permissibility when to comes to social drinking and drug use and that’s true in all communities,” McKinnon said.

“The mission of the coalition is not finger pointing or saying who’s a good parent and who’s not. It’s about creating a dialogue to work on preventing substance use and educating youths and parents."