Do Linn County Youth Perceive Substance Use to Be Risky?
Almost half (48%) of Linn County 8th and 11th grade students think regular marijuana use is only slightly risky or not risky at all.
Source: Oregon Student Health Survey, 2022
Do Linn County youth perceive substance use to be risky?
Almost half (48%) of Linn County 8th and 11th grade students think regular marijuana use is only slightly risky or not risky at all. When asked about the risk of drinking five or more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week, 43% of 6th and 8th grade students indicated only slight to no risk.
Why is youth perception of risk of harm important?
Children’s perception of the risks associated with alcohol and other drug use is an important determinant of whether they engage in substance use. For example, youth who perceive cigarettes as having a high risk of harm are less likely to try them. Talk to kids regularly about the risks of alcohol and other drugs. Visit linntogether.org for drug risk facts and helpful conversation starters.
Sources: National Institutes of Health, Oregon Student Health Survey 2022. The Oregon Student Health Survey is a school-based survey about health behaviors.
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