 |
 |
 |
| Don't Become A Statistic! |
In Pinellas County, alcohol has the highest prevalence of use over any other substance for all age groups. In 2008, Pinellas County adults had higher rates of alcohol use than Florida statewide averages (61.2% versus 51.3%, according to the National Center for Disease Control’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data). In 2010, Pinellas County students had higher rates of alcohol use in their lifetime (53.5%) compared to Florida students statewide (51.5%), and the percentage of Pinellas County high school students who reported using alcohol at age 13 or under was 25.5% versus 27.1% statewide. Additionally, the 30-day prevalence rate for alcohol use among high school students in Pinellas County was 39.6% compared to 38.0% statewide (Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 2010). Other drug use is also prevalent throughout the county. In 2010, there were 8,525 drug/narcotic arrests in Pinellas County. Data obtained through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) showed there were 733 juvenile charges and 6,189 young adult charges for alcohol and other drugs in 2009. The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs is an increasing concern in Pinellas County. The District 6 Medical Examiner’s Office data states that in Pinellas County in 2010, there were 244 decedents where Oxycodone was identified as present at the time of death or the cause of death. In 2010, a Pinellas County resident died every 36 hours with oxycodone either present or the cause of death. There were 170 decedents where Alprazolam was identified as present at the time of death of the cause of death. Marijuana is the second most commonly used drug among Pinellas County youth with a past 30-day prevalence rate of 15.5% compared to the statewide average of 13.0%. The percentage of high school students in Pinellas County who reported using marijuana at age 13 or under was 14.3% versus 11.3% statewide (FYSAS, 2010). Cigarettes are the third most commonly used drug among Pinellas County youth with a 30-day prevalence rate among high school students of 15.5% compared to the statewide average of 12.1%. The percentage of Pinellas County high school students who reported using cigarettes at age 13 or under was 15.2% versus 17.1% statewide, and 29.1% of all students in Pinellas County used tobacco on at least one occasion in their lifetime compared to a statewide average of 25.9% (FYSAS, 2010). LiveFree! Profile of Alchohol and Other Drugs in Pinellas County, Florida: Click here for December 2011 version Click here for April 2011 version click here for July 2010 version click here for April 2009 version click here for 2008 version Fact Sheets: Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Fact Sheet Alcohol Misuse and Abuse Fact Sheet Prescription Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Abuse Fact Sheet Pinellas County Alcohol Facts_policy Binge Drinking the Facts Check out this presentation on binge drinking ("Binge Drinking the Facts") which includes a lesson plan. You will need AdobeAcrobat Reader to view the file or if you would like the PowerPoint version please email LiveFree! at livefree@operpar.org. Enjoy!! |