About the Author

Dr. Harper, Executive Director

Executive Director of the ALERT Laboratories, Former Dean of Social Sciences at GVSU, Professor of Organizational and Health Communication (ret.),

harpern@gvsu.edu

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Alert Labs Blog - Teens Who “Only Drink Sometimes” are Revealed to be Suffering from Substance Use Disorders of the Same Kind as Teens Who Drink More Often

posted on Jan 21st 2010 at 2:00pm by Dr. Harper

Screening Instruments* included in the ALERT Labs Personal Report of Student Perceptions (PRSP) survey reveal that about 30% of students at Kent County high schools surveyed need further screening through face-to-face intervention and will probably need help in order to quit drinking and/or using marijuana or other drugs. *See CAGE and CRAFFT, www.merfweb.org/resources.php?type_idx=4.

In fact, survey results indicate that nearly all of the students who drink, even those who drink only once in 30 days, gave answers to screening questions that reveal their need for a professional Brief Intervention, like the STARR Program. nbsp;www.alertlabs.org/programs.php?program_id=4 In total, 93% of students who drink need professional intervention.

Did You Know?

Boys, Girls, Sex and Alcohol

Boys are more likely to pursue unprotected sex under the influence of alcohol…50% of Girls who have intercourse before the age of 16 were intoxicated at the time…

http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf

Among 8th grade girls who drink heavily,

37% report attempting suicide, compared to 11 percent who do not drink.

http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf

Alcohol the Real Date- Rape Drug

This study says women who have lost control or consciousness due to excessive drinking are more likely to be raped. A specific “date-rape drug” is seldom involved.href="http://bjc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/49/6/848">British Journal of Criminology Nov. 2009 issue

The MSA Prevention Program has lead to a 56% reduction of unwanted sexual contact consequences for Kent Co. HS students in the selected schools. www.alertlabs.org/accomplishments.php/

Teenage Drinking: It's not a phase all teenagers go through. Schools and parents can prevent it. Over 70% of Students at MSA High Schools in Kent County did NOT drink alcohol in the last 30 days.

CASA* 2009 TEEN SURVEY REVEALS:

IF TEENS SEE PARENT DRUNK, THEY ARE LIKELIER TO GET DRUNK, USE MARIJUANA, SMOKE CIGARETTES.

www.casacolumbia.org/absolutenm/templates/PressReleases.aspx?articleid=566&zoneid=66