Hawai`i's Department of Health periodically conducts a survey of Hawaii students in grades 6 through 12 in order to better understand trends in substance use among Hawaii's youth. In addition, the survey looks at "risk" and "protective" factors that can predict substance use and abuse. For more details about the surveys . . .

So what do the surveys say about youth substance use in Hawai`i? Take a look at some trends in the survey results.

1. Substances Used Most Often
   The surveys show that substances most commonly used by Hawai`i students are alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes.



2. Alcohol
   Use of alcohol by Hawai`i students is more widespread than all other substances. By 12th grade, more than 40% of students reported using alcohol within the previous month.
   
   One troubling finding: students are experimenting with alcohol at an early age. In the 2003 survey more than 1 out of 10 (13%) sixth graders reported they had already tried alcohol and 10% reported that they had tried alcohol by the time they were 9 years old. By senior year in high school, the number of students who have ever tried alcohol in their lifetime is almost 3 out of every 4 students (73%)!



3. Tobacco
   Great news! Reports of monthly cigarette use started dropping in 1998 in grades 6, 8, and 10, and have continued to drop dramatically. For students in grade 12, reports of monthly cigarette use have dropped by almost 50% since 1998! A reminder: there has been a concerted effort in Hawai`i to reduce tobacco consumption during this period, and continuing efforts will be needed in order to impact younger students.
   
   
4. Illicit Substances
   Less than half of the students in Hawai`i have tried an illicit drug, and the percentages in Hawai`i who reported trying at least one illicit drug are lower than the national averages. While this is good news, keep in mind that nearly one-fifth of Hawai`i seniors reported monthly marijuana use, so there is still more that could be done to reduce use.

	Some Definitions: "Categories of Use" Lifetime—% that have ever tried the substance in their lifetime Monthly—% that used at least once in the 30 days before the survey Daily—% that used at least 20 times in the 30 days before the survey Substance Abuse—% who are dependent or seriously abusing

Monthly Use
For the 6-year period 1996—2002, the average percentage of students reporting any “monthly use” of alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana is illustrated in the graph.

How do Native Hawaiian students
compare to the statewide averages?