PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Substance abuse (alcohol or marijuana) - adolescents

Why Is This Important?

An adolescent brain is still developing, putting youth at greater risk of developing addiction and experiencing life long consequences from use. According to research conducted by Candice Odgers, et al., "early-exposed adolescents were at an increased risk for the adult outcomes of substance dependence, herpes infection, early pregnancy, failure to obtain educational qualifications, and criminal convictions."^1^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. Odgers, C. L., Caspi, A., Nagin, D. S., Piquero, A. R., Slutske, W. S., Milne, B. J., Dickson, N., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2008). Is It Important to Prevent Early Exposure to Drugs and Alcohol Among Adolescents? Psychological Science, 19(10), 1037-1044.

Data Notes

High school students only. Alcohol use was defined as at least one drink of alcohol. Question text: During the past 30 days, on how many days did you have at least one drink of alcohol?

How Are We Doing?

Alcohol (6.4%) and marijuana (4.2%) were the most commonly abused substances among adolescents in grades 9-12 in Utah, 2023 from the Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) survey. SHARP data showed a rate of current alcohol use of 4.3% and a rate of current marijuana use of 5.6% statewide in 2023 in grades 8, 10, and 12. In 2023, Salt Lake County (6.1%) and Summit County (18.4%) local health districts (LHDs) had significantly higher rates of current alcohol use than the state while Bear River (2.2%), Utah County (2.2%), and Davis County (2.2%) LHDs had lower rates. Also in 2023, Salt Lake County (8.2%) and Summit County (11.1%) LHDs had a significantly higher rate of current marijuana use than the state while Bear River (3.0%), Central (2.1%), Davis County (3.1%), and Utah County (3.0%) LHDs had lower rates.

What Is Being Done?

The Substance Use Disorder Prevention Program at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services provides funding to Local Substance Abuse Authorities (LSAA) across the state to deliver locally developed prevention plans. These LSAAs work with community prevention coalitions to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors proven to lower substance misuse. Community coalitions, through a strategic planning process, mobilize community stakeholders, key leaders, and other partners to implement a wide range of evidence-based strategies. These strategies range from child and youth school-based programming, to parenting workshops, to policy work that reduces access and availability of substances for youth. Substance misuse prevention coalitions work. According to the coalition framework, Communities that Care, communities with coalitions had youth that were 37% less likely to binge drink compared to communities that did not have a coalition.^1^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. Hawkins JD, Oesterle S, Brown EC, et al. Results of a Type 2 Translational Research Trial to Prevent Adolescent Drug Use and Delinquency: A Test of Communities that Care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009; 163(9):789-798. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.141