Chester County 2011 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) Presentation

1. Chester County 2011 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) Presentation

2. Overview • Since 1999, the County of Chester has conducted a biannual survey of our youth on their behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence. • For the 2011 survey, 12 Chester County school districts participated. • A total of 14,600 valid surveys were completed by youth in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12.

3. Survey Content • Prevalence Data • Average Age of Onset of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use • Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Problem Behaviors • Gambling • Depression • Anti-Social Behaviors • Bullying • Internet Safety • State comparison data • National comparison (limited scope)

4. Purpose • The survey provides an important benchmark for alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and other delinquent behaviors. Survey data is used as part of the overall County Strategic Business Plan. • Benchmarks for the Strategic Business Plan for 2012 were as follows: • 75% of children and adolescents in Chester County will not use alcohol • 90% of youth will not use marijuana • 94% of youth will not use illicit drugs, excluding marijuana

5. Average Age of Onset • For Chester County 12th graders the average age of onset reported is: • As a whole, Chester County 2011 results are consistent with statewide data.

6. Alcohol – Past 30-Day Use Since the 1999 survey year, alcohol continues to be the primary substance of abuse among all grades and a significant concern. The table below shows Past 30-Day Use of Alcohol 2003 – 2011 in Grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 for Chester County Youth.

7. Driving Under the Influence • Driving after Drinking: Chester County 12th graders show a decrease from 23.8% (2003) to 15.4% (2011). • Driving after Drinking: 2011 is the first year that 12th graders in Chester County report lower incidences than statewide (15.4% and 16.2%). Driving after Marijuana Use: Chester County 12th graders show a decrease from 25.2% (2003) to 22% (2011). • Driving after Marijuana Use: Chester County 12th graders consistently report higher rates than the statewide.

8. Driving Under the Influence

9. Binge Drinking Chester County, Pennsylvania and National Comparison2011

10. Chester County Youth Use of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs – Past 30-Day Use

11. Past 30-Day Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs – Chester County

12. Chester County Risk and Protective Factor Priorities Protective Factors: Conditions that are known to decrease the likelihood that a youth will engage in problem behaviors. Risk Factors: Conditions that increase the likelihood of a young person becoming involved in problem behaviors. Chester County Programming Priorities: • Community Awareness • Community Level Change • Parent Education • Youth Programming

13. Matching Services/Programs to Identified Needs • Community Awareness:Increase community knowledge and understanding of available resources • Speaking Engagements • Telephone/Electronic Information and Referral • Parent Education: Increase parent understanding of risk behavior and support healthy attitudes • Evidenced based programming - Parenting Wisely, Nurse Family Partnership

14. Matching Services/Programs to Identified Needs – Continued • Community Level Change:Effect changes at the community level to enhance healthy behaviors for youth • Community Mobilization – e.g. Communities that Care • Youth Programming:Educate youth in critical transition years about risk behavior • Evidence based programming – Beginning Awareness Basic Education Studies (BABES), Project Alert

15. Chester County PAYS Reports • For a copy of the full reports, please log onto www.chesco.org . • Click on Departments/D-H/Drug and Alcohol Services/Helpful Links • Years Available: • 2005 • 2007 • 2009 • 2011