Almost one fourth of Coos teens - girls and boys - say they have “at least one alcohol or drug-use related problem,” according to a new report.
The research was conducted by The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire and was based on 564 youths.
The information was gathered during 2008 when they were in either the seventh and eleventh grades and then researchers followed up the following year.
About 10 percent of those who responded said they have been using either drugs or alcohol at a time when they could injured themselves, which was defined as “swimming, climbing, using a knife, crossing against traffic, driving.”
The researchers concluded that students who felt they were under stress were more likely to use drugs or alcohol. But students who felt a connection with their communities seemed better able to resist using alcohol or drugs.
The type of drugs was not specified nor did the study say how the rate of alcohol and drug use compares to other counties or other states.
The researchers for the project couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The report is part of a 10-year study of Coos County.
To read the study go here: http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publications/IB-VanGundy-Coos-Youth-Social-Stress.pdf