School Substance Abuse And Mental Health

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

LAKETOWN, Utah.  November 21, 2017.  David Watkins, Bear River Health Department, reported to the school board on the SHARP Survey data of substance abuse.  Utah has lowest substance abuse in nation and Rich County has lowest rate in the state. 

There are risk factors for substance abuse, BRHD is working to identify the community risk factors such as violence and school dropout rates, early indications of anti social behavior, rebelliousness and the perceived use of drugs among peers. 

Parental attitudes are a key indicator, if parents are ambivalent towards alcohol, smoking or drug use in their own lives it gives kids a pass on drug use.  Parents are the key reason kids avoid substance abuse. When a child gets a message that drinking is very wrong they usually do not use alcohol or other drugs.  Parents need to set clear underage drinking rules.  The drug problem usually starts with underage alcohol use. 

Most of our youth perceive that there is more drug use in their peers than is borne out by data.  Youth perceived that 25% of their peers are using alcohol or cigarettes even though the real rates are below 5%. Most youth here think marijuana and e-cigarettes are 22% less harmful than other types of substances.  Substance misuse indicators in Rich County are, in order, the use of alcohol,  e-cigarettes., marijuana, prescription drugs, and inhalants.

There are protective factors.  Students who are rewarded for community involvement are seldom involved in illegal drug use. Not only that, in Rich County, the teachers, school administrators are involved in the community, often working with the youth in a non-school environment, getting to know them.   There are many opportunities for school involvement and rewards for school involvement.  Families who spent time with their children are a strong bulwark against drugs. 

Mental health indicators were also discussed.  All four indicators have increased.  More teens report needing mental health treatment.  More are considering suicide.

Bullying is an indicator for mental health issues, but here only a small percentage of students feel unsafe.  More kids feel bullied in middle school than in high school.  Wright asked who do students talk to when feeling sad or hopeless, he said most don’t talk to anyone, which is a problem, but parents are second, teacher or other adults are third. 

There is a Community Coalition that is forming with focus on mental  health and suicide prevention, giving presentations in the community and churches.  Five LDS Wards in Rich County have had that presentation.