By Brandon Matthews
Earlier in the year, we discussed the annual PRIDE Survey (Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education), an anonymous national survey used to collect data regarding incidents of substance abuse, perceived risk of drugs, risk and protective factors, mental health, and more. We utilize this survey to collect data from seventh-, ninth-, 10th-, and 11th-grade students in Alabaster City Schools and Day Program students. The results of our latest 2022-2023 survey have arrived, and we wanted to share some highlights with you.
The 2021 PRIDE Survey indicated vaping, drinking, and marijuana as the most common substances used among teenagers in Alabaster. For Tomorrow and its partnering organizations have worked hard to help students in these key areas, and we are pleased at the progress that has been made. Students (seventh, ninth, 11th) who reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days decreased from previous surveys by .8%, 2.9%, and 1.8%. Students (seventh, ninth, 11th) who reported using marijuana in the last 30 days decreased from previous surveys by .6%, 1.5%, and 2.6%. Students (seventh and ninth) who reported using tobacco products in the last year decreased from previous surveys by 1%, and 2.4%.
In light of our progress, we are more committed than ever to continue our work. We will continue to provide prevention messaging and education through social media campaigns, ad tracking, geo-fencing, and in-person community events like the Arrive Alive Tour that is returning to Red Ribbon Week 2023. Alabaster City Schools continue making efforts through state-of-the-art technology and policies to greater serve the health and well-being of our students. Compact (police partnership) still holds monthly vaping education and cessation classes free of charge to the community. These partnerships, and many others, working together for the common good of our community have contributed to the forward movement in the health of our students.
We encourage everyone in our community to partner with us to make a difference. You can join us on the third Tuesday of each month at Alabaster City Hall to plan and review all that we are doing in our community.
Review the full results of the Pride Survey at alabasterfortomorrow.com. For questions you can email us at [email protected].
Brandon Matthews is the For Tomorrow Program Director.
*10th-grade statistics are not accurate and do not reflect true values.