Bainbridge High School seniors use more alcohol and marijuana compared to peers across Washington, according to recent results released from a 2014 Healthy Youth Survey.
Sophomores and seniors were polled with the question: “Have you ever, even once in your life…smoked a cigarette, even just a puff, OR, drank more than a sip or two of beer, wine, or hard liquor, OR, smoked marijuana?”
In the 2014 survey, 48 percent of Bainbridge seniors reported smoking marijuana compared to 46 percent of their Washington State peers. Tenth-graders reported slightly below the state level at 24 percent compared to 29 percent of their peers.
When it came to tipping the bottle, 76 percent of seniors reported drinking alcohol at least once compared to 66 percent of seniors elsewhere. Sophomores reported below their state peers at 43 percent compared to 50 percent.
When asked if they drank alcohol in the last 30 days, 51.5 percent of seniors answered they had, compared to 18.5 percent of tenth-graders.
While Bainbridge seniors may smoke more pot than their peers, the rate of marijuana use reportedly dropped in 2014 for tenth- and twelfth-graders in the Bainbridge Island School District compared to the 2012 survey results.
However, cigarette use increased from 10 percent to 17 percent of Bainbridge tenth-graders, while seniors’ smoking habits dropped from the 2012 data of 34 percent to 28 percent.
The survey was sponsored by the Department of Health, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Liquor Control Board in cooperation with schools throughout Washington State. Students in grades six, eight, ten and twelve were polled for the survey.
The 2014 Healthy Youth Survey was given to BISD students between Oct. 13 and 17. Participation results of sixth, eighth and tenth grade students are “probably representative of students” in those grades, according to district officials. Twelfth graders who had a 66 percent rate of participation “may be representative of students” in that grade level.
Total student participation was:
255 or 85 percent of sixth-graders;
235 or 81 percent of eighth-graders;
273 or 77 percent of tenth-graders; and
240 or 66 percent of seniors.
Survey questions encompassed a variety of issues, including sexual behavior, gambling, school climate, health conditions and more.
Here’s a sampling of questions asked:
• During the past 12 months, have you been a member of a gang?
Sophomores polled answered “yes” more than any other group at 5.3 percent claiming they had been a member of a gang.
• During the past 30 days, did you carry a weapon such as a gun, knife or club on school property?
The survey revealed that 2.8 percent of sixth graders had, leaving 97.2 percent who had not. Six or more days, 1.3 percent of seniors, 1.5 percent of sophomores and 0.9 percent of eighth graders had brought one of those weapons to school.
• How often do you eat dinner with your family?
A low percentage reported back “never” for each grade level, with 2.9 percent of sixth graders giving that answer.
• Do you have goals and plans for the future?
When asked if they had goals and plans for the future, 80.6 percent of sixth-graders said they did.
For the complete survey, visit www.AskHYS.net.
