Statistics don’t lie, but they don’t always show you the truth either. When you reduce people to behaviors, numbers, and trends, the aspect of humanity you are trying to gauge or measure is poorly translated into math, and so many people ignore statistics, assuming they are not as accurate as our first hand observation, anecdotal evidence, or assumptions. Surveys, polls, and statistics are fairly accurate at some things though, and when it comes to determining the safety and well being of the youth in our community, it is probably best to take a balanced approach and use our common sense and observation as well as seek direct input from the youth we hope to help. Who better to teach us about youth issues, then the youth themselves!
In Sarasota County, students are asked to participate in one of two surveys given annually depending on the student’s grade level. One survey is known as the “Youth Risk Behavior Survey” (YRBS) and is largely based on a CDC survey as part of their “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System” (YRBSS). These surveys are taken statewide and across the nation and they serve as a fairly accurate barometer of the behaviors our young people self-report. Students are not required to participate in this survey and the entire process is voluntary. Local results from these tests are released yearly through the “Safe & Drug Free Schools” (SDFS) committee, a group open to the public and charged with the responsibility of determining the suitability of guest speakers and presentations in local schools, and working together to present solutions to issues youth are facing in our schools.
This year’s survey results are from the 2008/2009 school year when 1,129 9th and 11th graders took the YRBS. The majority of Students were white (70.9), non-white Hispanic or Latino (10.1%), or African-American (8.3%). The YRBS also includes state and national survey results and compares them to our local results. The YRBS is not currently available on the website for the school district, but is available to the public upon request – we also have a few copies at ALSO that are available for review and discussion.
Many of the areas in which risky behaviors increased since the last survey were drug/alcohol related, un-safe sex related, or associated with violence. Over 44% of respondents had at least one drink of alcohol in the last 30 days, and 36% of respondents reported riding in a car with someone who had been drinking 1 or more times in the last 30 days,. Teen drinking is not a new phenomenon, but teenage binge drinking (defined in the YRBS as have had 5 or more drinks in a row), is on the rise with 28% of students reporting a drinking binge within the last 30 days. Also, Marijuana use within the past 30 days has spiked from 19% in 2006 to 28% in 2008. Particularly alarming was the doubling of students reporting Cocaine use in the past 30 days, going from 4% in 2006 to 8% in 2008. While such a low percentage might seem like just a fluctuation, when you turn those numbers back into real teens with real world problems, it’s a big deal, and it matters to every one of us living in this community.
Students in Sarasota County are taught about HIV/AIDS (as 89% of students reported), but condoms are not discussed in detail or frequency, and are not made available to them at school for free. This mixed message about safe/un-safe sex has led to an increase in teen sex and a decrease in condom use. In 2006, 40% of students reported having had sexual intercourse at least once -- in 2008, 48% reported having had sex. In 2006, 11% of students reported having had sexual intercourse with four or more people in their lifetime – in 2008, 17% reported having had sex with 4+ people. Youth reporting use of a condom the last time they had sex also decreased in frequency from 2006 (66%) to 2008 (51%). In other words, more students are having sex, they are having sex with many more partners, and they are using condoms less. Clearly an abstinence only + HIV education curriculum does not work – teach students about condoms, make them available for free, and protect students and our community!
Violent behaviors such as bullying and fighting on school property are also on the increase since 2006, with students reporting being in a physical fight on school campus in the last 30 days up from 12% to 14%, and 25% of students reporting being bullied on campus in the past 12 months. Not surprisingly, over 9% of students reported not going to school on 1 or more days because they felt unsafe, and 17% of students report actually attempting suicide at least one time in the past 12 months (a disturbingly high number). GLBTQ youth are especially at risk of missing school because of teasing and name calling, attempting or considering suicide, and are often involved in violence because of bullying (though our district does not record such data on this survey). One thing our district survey does do is ask students whether they have been a victim of teasing or taunts because someone thought they were gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Overall, 15 % of students reported such abuse at school (that’s 16.5% of girls and 20% of boys). Clearly, much improvement is needed in our local schools to protect our youth from needless bullying, worry, and violence. Inclusion of this question and questions like it illustrate a willingness to address GLBTQ issues is Sarasota Schools, but continued participation with and feedback to/from the schools is vital. ALSO is continually working to improve our dialogue with the Sarasota School District, local principals and counselors, and the teachers and students themselves, and we encourage our donors, supporters, allies and friends to do the same!
