Teen Substance Use Higher In Alabama

The Pride Survey on Student Behavior and Perception has been tracking many aspects of teens for several years. Virginia Guy of the Drug Education Council in Mobile says they've been watching the trends. This year, there is a disturbing one.

"The last two or three years we've noticed that there has been an increased low perception of risk--in other words kids aren't perceiving drugs as being very harmful or risky--and we have some major concerns," she says.

Guy says she believes part of the problem may be economic. She says fewer dollars and resources for schools and in general mean teens aren't getting the messages about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The Pride Survey says the use of alcohol and tobacco by teens in Alabama decreased slightly over last year, however use of those substances by Alabama teens is still higher than for teens in other states. Marijuana use by teens in Alabama is on the rise.

The survey questioned some 280 thousand students in grades 6 through 12 in Alabama.

For more on the Pride Survey, click here.