2007 Maryland Adolescent Survey
Author: Maryland State Department of Education
Date: 2008-09-15
Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data
Subjects: Neighborhoods,Marijuana,Prevention,Adolescents,Teaching Guides,Sampling,Narcotics,Multivariate Analysis,Behavior Patterns,Drinking,Drug Use,Ethnic Groups,High School Students,Middle School Students,Lysergic Acid Diethylamide,Parent Child Relationship,Smoking,Substance Abuse,State Surveys,Student Surveys,Comparative Analysis,Trend Analysis,Drug Education,Peer Influence,Cocaine

Periodically, Maryland's sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders are surveyed to determine the nature, extent, and trend of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among adolescents. The &quot;2007 Maryland Adolescent Survey (MAS)&quot; presents the latest findings regarding ATOD use by Maryland's adolescents and compares State and local findings with national findings and trends. The survey also provides data about: protective factors; adolescents' knowledge about the consequences of ATOD use; parenting and peer influences; impaired driving among twelfth graders; and how safe adolescents feel at school, going to or from school, and in their neighborhoods. State and local prevention professionals plan and evaluate Maryland's ATOD prevention efforts by using information contained in this report. Participants were drawn from the sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades in Maryland's public elementary, middle and high schools, using a multi-stage, stratified cluster sampling procedure. This method allows the generalization of results for each grade at both the local jurisdiction and State levels. The survey was completed by 33,057 adolescents and represents 12 to 14 percent of the State's enrollment at each surveyed grade level and an 84% overall response rate. ATOD usage levels in 2007 (for the last 30 days) decreased from 2004 for many substances and increased for very few. Adolescents in all surveyed grade levels reported a decrease in the use of alcohol and cigarettes; for marijuana there was a decrease in use in grades eight, ten, and twelve and no change among sixth graders. Twelfth graders reported a decrease or no change in 30 day usage of other drugs for every substance except prescription narcotics. For tenth graders, there was a decrease or no change for every substance except LSD and cocaine (other than crack). Eighth graders reported a decrease or no change in use for every substance. Sixth graders reported the same usage level for most other drugs but higher usage levels for, methamphetamines, amyl/butyl nitrates, and heroin. Even when 2007 levels increased compared to 2004, they were consistently down over the long term. Respondents continue to report that ATOD are more available off of school property than on school property. Similarly, adolescents who use alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana report that these substances are safer to consume than students who do not use them. While the continued decrease in usage trends is encouraging, the findings of the &quot;2007 MAS&quot; still show that adolescents have tried and continue to use many substances. Appendices include: (1) Schools Not Included in the Sampling Frame for the 2007 MAS; (2) 2007 Maryland Adolescent Survey Form 3, Grade 12; (3) 2007 Maryland Adolescent Survey Teacher's Guide; and (4) Local School System Findings. (Contains 94 exhibits and 10 footnotes.