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Drinking patterns in America and Mitchell County spur action
by Warren Haacke, Press-News Reporter
Do we, as residents of Mitchell County, envision that we have any kind of drinking problem among our adults or youth? Many people would probably say we are just like everyone else in the state or country. We have some people that probably abuse alcohol, some that drink socially and some that choose to not drink at all. So, in the long run, we're just like everyone else right?
The information provided below from local and national sources might open everyone's eyes just a little bit.
The following statistics, for Mitchell County youth, prompted an urgency to develop the Mitchell County Substance Abuse Coalition (MC SAC) (discussed later) and a plan to address these concerns. These results are part of the 2005 Iowa Youth Survey.
The Iowa Youth Survey is a joint effort conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Health's Division of Behavioral Health, Iowa Department of Education, Office of Drug Control Policy, Iowa Department of Human Rights, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning and Statistical Analysis Center, and Iowa Department of Human Services.
In the fall of 1999, 2002 and 2005, students in the 6th, 8th, and 11th grades across the state of Iowa answered questions about their attitudes and experiences regarding substance abuse and violence, and their perceptions of their peer, family, school, and neighborhood/community environments.
Survey reports list responses to every question on the survey, providing total percentages and breakdowns by grade and gender. Here are some of the results for Mitchell County as they relate to drinking/drug patterns:
Alcohol - Use Among Teens - Mitchell County
46 percent of Mitchell County 11th graders have had 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row in the last 30 days.
15 percent of 11th graders say they have used alcohol or other drugs on school property.
1 in 8 Mitchell County youth say they have a person with serious alcohol or drug problem living in their home.
1 in 5 Mitchell County youths say there is slight or no risk of harming themselves if they drink 3 or more drinks nearly every day.
94% of 8th graders say it is against their values to use alcohol and drugs. This drops to 50% in 11th grade.
3 out of 4 11th graders in Mitchell County report that it is easy or very easy to get alcoholic beverages.
On the national level the statistics tell much the same tale:
From a document called the "Monday Morning Report" issued on November 10, the following information regarding American drinking patterns was issued:
"Since 1939 annual Gallup Polls have provided insight into American drinking patterns.
Gallup pollsters pose this question to adults, "Do you have occasion to consume beer, wine or liquor, or are you a total abstainer?"
In the 2008 survey, just over one third of the U.S. adult population identified themselves as total abstainers.
Of the remaining 62 percent of adults 18 years of age or older who identified themselves as at least occasional drinkers, the Gallup poll did not provide a percentage of the population which was mostly responsible for America's alcohol consumption.
A much more accurate picture of the American drinking scene can be found in the "Injury Prevention Network Newsletter, Volume 8, Number 2.
The pattern of alcohol consumption in the United States is conveyed by imagining all Americans 14 years of age and older represented by 10 individuals seated around a table.
On the table are 10 glasses containing all of the alcohol consumed in the country.
*** Three people at the table will choose to drink nothing.
*** Three people will share one glass.
*** Three people will share two of the glasses.
*** One person will drink the remaining 7 glasses full of alcohol.
Researcher Thomas Greenfield of Berkley's Alcohol Research Group breaks down further the meaning of the example/ statistics:
*** 5 percent of the drinkers in America consume virtually 50 percent of all the alcohol sold in the United States.
*** Among young adults in the 18-39 year old age group, nearly 80 percent of the alcohol consumed is done in a hazardous fashion. "Hazardous fashion" is defined as five or more drinks in a single sitting, often referred to as "binge drinking."
*** Overall, the data shows that 43 per cent of the total alcohol consumed in this country is consumed "hazardously."
Because of the alarming statistics above, specifically those relating to Mitchell County, the Mitchell County Substance Abuse Coalition (MC SAC) has been meeting monthly since January 2007.
An average of 15 community members from Osage, St. Ansgar, Riceville, and rural areas, and youth of FAD and SADD groups attend the monthly meetings.
A mission statement was developed which reads: "Create awareness of the impact of substance abuse and encourage change through collaborative prevention efforts."
* Mitchell County was assessed in 2003 on "Stages of Community Readiness" as related to substance use in the county. At present, communities in the county are moving out of denial and are ready to begin some pre-planning, based on the 130 community members present at a Town Hall meeting held in April of 2008.
* The following is the summary from the April 1, 2008 Town Hall meeting and the number of votes for each idea selected that could help in curbing drinking among Mitchell County youth:
* Alcohol Free events: = 86
* Assemblies/real life speakers/situations - 59
*Environmental: policies/enforcement- total = 41
*Breathalyzer at dances - 14
* Educational/programs: total = 27 - with Parental involvement - 19
These votes will guide the MC SAC in their planning steps, to continue working toward their mission of encouraging change through collaborative efforts.
All community members are invited to be a part of the coalition.
Story created Dec 02, 2008 - 10:38:16 CST.
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