Our Collaborators --

• Bailey Insurance
• Blessed Sacrament
• Bullock Creek Public Schools
• Camp Fire USA
• Cancer Services
• Central Michigan Community Mental Health
• Chippewa Nature Center
• Citizen's Bank
• City of Midland
• Coldwell Banker
• Coleman Community Schools
• Dow Corning
  
• Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
  
• Education and Training Connection (ETC)
  
• FACE
  
• Family and Children's Services of Midland
  
• First United Methodist Church
  
• Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District
  
• Leadership Michigan
  
• Legacy Center for Student Success
  
• Meridian Public Schools
  
• Mi-Vibe
  
• Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (MCRUD)
  
• Michigan State University Extension Office Midland Area Chamber of Commerce
  
• Midland Area Marketing Partnership
  
• Midland Community Center
  
• Midland Community Cancer Services
  
• Midland County Circuit, District and Probate Courts
  
• Midland County Department of Public Health
  
• Midland County Educational Service Agency
  
• Midland County Family Coordination Council
  
• Midland County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
  
• Midland County Public Schools
  
• Midland County Sheriff's Office
  
• Midland Daily News
  
• Midland Health and Human Services Council
  
• Midland Interagency Network
  
• Midland Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation
  
• Midland Police Department
  
• Midland Public Schools
  
• Michigan State University Extension
  
• MidMichigan Health
  
• North Midland Family Center
  
• Northwood University
  
• Prevention Network
  
• Safe and Sound Child Protection and Advocacy
  
• Salvation Army
  
• Shelterhouse
  
• St. John's Episcopal Church
  
• The Rock Youth Center
  
• Tobacco Reduction Coalition of Midland
  
• United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA)
  
• United States Office of National Drug Control Policy
  
• West Midland Family Center
  
• Windover High School

Why We Do It

Substance abuse among young people today has reached epidemic proportions, and Midland County is not immune to these challenges. MAPFDFY, CAP 21 and START are working together with the community to address these challenges.

1007 Midland County Youth Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use

• 50% of 12th grade students in Midland County reported alcohol use in the past 30 days.
• Alcohol use remains flat.
• Smoking has significantly decreased for all age groups.
• Marijuana use has decreased for 10th graders but increased for 12th graders.
• 12th grade use of other illicit drugs is higher than the National average for several types of drugs.

The American Medical Association National poll indicated that more than 66% of underage youth who drink report that it is easy to obtain alcohol from their home.

National Survey on Drug and Health Use

An analysis of the 2003 National Survey on Drug and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) concluded that individuals who began drinking in their teens are more likely to have alcohol dependence or misuse problems as adults. By delaying the age at which an individual first uses alcohol, we can dramatically reduce alcohol abuse in our society. Every year that the use of a substance is delayed, the risk of developing a substance use disorder is reduced.

Teenage Brains

According to Ken Winters, PhD, University of Minnesota, brain maturation is not complete until age 24. Dr. Winters created a PowerPoint presentation in 2004 entitled The Effects of Drug Abuse on the Adolescent Brain. This presentation talks about teen risk-taking behaviors, poor judgment, and vulnerability to substance abuse. It includes various studies, statistics, and resources for further study. To view a copy of this presentation, please click on the image below.

Social Activity

Based on SAMHSA's 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 92.4% of youths aged 12-17 participated in one or more school-based, community-based, church or faith-based, or other such activities during the past year:

• 27.1% participated in 1-3 activities;
• 31.4% participated in 4-6 activities;
• and 33.9% participated in 7+ activities in the past year.

Youth in families of lower income were more likely not to participate in any school-based, community-based, church or faith-based or related activities; however, regardless of family income, those youth who did participate had lower rates of cigarette, alcohol, or illicit drug use than those who did not participate in such activities.

The greater the number of activities, the lower the rates of past-year use of cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit drugs among youth. For example, the rates of illicit drug use were:

• 18.3% for youth who participated in no such activities;
• 11.9% for those with 1-3 activities;
• 9.4% for 4-6 activities;
• and 6.8% for 7+ youth activities in the past year.

Cost of Underage Drinking

Also at issue are the costs associated with underaged drinking. According to the International Institute for Alcohol Awareness,