Since 1996, Livonia has participated in a number of student drug/alcohol and risk behavior surveys, including the Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use sponsored by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Communities That Care Survey, and the Survey of Student Resources and Assets. The anonymous surveys were completed during the 1996-97 school year, again in 2000-2001, and once again in the spring 2004.

The news is good. Results show positive changes in student substance abuse rates in Livonia. Use rates for tobacco, alcohol and other illegal drugs are all down. In some cases, those reductions are significant.

Survey Questions                              1996     2001     2004

Cigarette use in the past 30 days    39%     16%     15%

Alcohol use in the past 30 days      53%     41%     35%

Ever* used marijuana                     35%     30%     32%

Ever been drunk                            46%     43%     21%

* Ever – means has ever tried or ever experienced, even one time.

Additionally, rates for the use of cocaine, inhalants, and other illegal drugs were all down. Not only are use rates in Livonia dropping, but in most cases, these numbers are lower than Livingston County averages and national use rates as well. Specifically, Livonia females have shown dramatic reduction in use. For example, in 1996, 75% of female ninth graders reported ever trying cigarettes. That number dropped to 39% in 2000-2001.

Two goals for student drug prevention at Livonia are to reduce the use of drugs and alcohol and to delay the first use of drugs. Both of these goals are correlated with lower addiction rates and better health in later years.

While the overall results are encouraging, all members of the community still have an important role to play in further reduction of youth substance abuse. Drug use prevention is a shared responsibility between schools, parents, and communities.

Clarify Norms

If you ask kids, they'll tell you that everyone is doing it. That belief is reinforced on TV and in the music they listen to. The truth is, most kids are NOT involved with alcohol or other drugs. In fact, over 90% of students have never used cocaine, LSD, heroin, or inhalants.