Hawaii Youth Need Help to Prevent Substance Abuse
DOH Releases 2002 Student Use Survey

Substance abuse rates among Hawaii’s youth are continuing to decline according to a study the Department of Health and University of Hawaii released today. The study also identifies risk factors that can be targeted to help prevent youth substance abuse.

Almost 28,000 students in 181 public and 34 private schools in Hawaii took part in the survey conducted by the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD), and the University of Hawaii Speech Department. The survey was administered anonymously to sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders. The aim of the study was three-fold to assess: the prevalence and trends of substance use, the risk and protective factors that indicate potential substance use and abuse; and treatment needs within the community. The study was funded with federal funds from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Health Director, Dr. Chiyome L. Fukino states, "The current downward trends in alcohol and drug use, the stabilization patterns in most drug use, and the continuing decline in the numbers of students who need treatment are all encouraging. Our prevention and treatment programs, as well as community members, have worked hard to reduce youth substance use and abuse. We continue to have great concern about the number of adolescents using and abusing substances and needing substance abuse treatment and we urge parents, businesses, and the community to join the Department of Health in pursuing effective solutions."

The Department of Health is piloting "Best Practices" youth substance abuse prevention programs in 18 communities with an $8.4 million federal State Incentive Grant Program. With current funds, the Department is providing treatment to students in 29 of Hawaii's 44 high schools and 3 of its 56 middle schools. "Making early treatment available and promoting community youth substance abuse programs have made a difference in the rates of student use and treatment needs declining," said Fukino.

To continue to make progress against drug and alcohol abuse among young people DOH is making the following recommendations:

• Make substance abuse prevention a priority in every community

• Strengthen the family’s role and skills in substance abuse prevention efforts

• Ensure that every adolescent who has substance abuse problems get treatment

• Increase mass media coverage on substance abuse prevention and treatment

• Increase community awareness of the serious consequences of underage alcohol use

• Strengthen school-based substance abuse prevention programs in every grade.

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For more information, contact:

Elaine Wilson
Chief, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division
Phone: (808) 692-7506.
E-mail: ejwilson@health.state.hi.us

Janice Okubo
Communications Director
Phone: (808) 586-4442
E-mail: jsokubo@health.state.hi.us