Substance Abuse

GOAL: Reduce stress on the family unit by impacting factors related to stress in the family such as substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol and other drug use) and the status of mental health

Youth and Adult Drinking

Youth

Baseline: 38.7% - 9-12th graders engaged in binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row within a couple of hours) in past 30 days (YBRFS 2000)

Target: 22.5%

Adults

Baseline: 5.2 % adults 18 years and older engaged in drinking and driving (ABRFS 00)

Target: 1%

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Illegal Drug Use by Youth

Marijuana use

Baseline: 14.2% 9-12th graders report using marijuana in past 30 days (YBRFS 00)

Target: 5%

Solicitation

Baseline: 22.9 % 9-12th graders who have been offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property (YBRFS00)

Target: Lower than Nebraska

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Youth and Adult Tobacco Use

Youth

Baseline: 24.8% - 9-12th graders regularly smoke at least 1 cigarette daily for past 30 days (YBRFS 2000)

Target: 15%

Adults

Baseline: 20% adults 18 years and older smoke regularly or casually in past 30 days. (ABRFS 2000)

Target: 12%

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Rationale

Alcohol and illicit drug use are associated with child and spousal abuse; sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; teen pregnancy; school failure; motor vehicle crashes; escalation of health care costs; low worker productivity; and homelessness. Alcohol and illicit drug use also can result in substantial disruptions in family, work and personal life causing stress on the family unit. Alcohol abuse alone is associated with motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides, and drowning- leading causes of death youth. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to heart disease, cancer, alcohol-related liver disease, and pancreatitis.  Alcohol use during pregnancy is known to cause fetal alcohol syndrome, a leading cause of preventable mental retardation. (Source: Healthy People 2010, pg. 33)

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases all leading causes of death. Smoking during pregnancy can result in miscarriages, premature delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome. Other health effects of smoking result from injuries and environmental damage caused by fires.(Healthy People 2010 pg 31)

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