Alcohol, drug use by students at alarming rate

An official of the Department of Public Health yesterday batted for a massive island-wide education campaign amid the alarming increase in number of students who are already alcohol and drug dependents.

As a result of this, there has been a growing demand for both treatment and prevention services in the Community Guidance Center, according to its Director Josephine T. Sablan.

While the island has yet to conduct a comprehensive study, the various programs implemented to respond to the problem is a proof of the current state of the island’s worsening drug and alcohol dependence among young people.

A 1997 Youth Behavioral Risk Survey showed that about 80 percent of the 9-12 graders surveyed have been trying alcohol; 29 percent have been drinking excessively in the last 30 days and 40 percent reported driving a vehicle after drinking alcohol.

Eighty-eight percent admitted that they have puffed a cigarette; 71 percent have tried to quit smoking, and 15 percent have tried hard drugs. Perhaps, the most alarming is that 24 percent have used ice in the last 30 days, 54 percent have tried marijuana, and also 54 percent have used marijuana in the last 30 days. A similar survey conducted among 6th to 8th graders yielded almost the same results.

“As a parent, I am alarmed of the fact that many of our very young population are able to access such deadly substances,” said Ms. Sablan. She said she was surprised to find out that 59 percent of the children as young as 6th graders have driven a vehicle after consuming alcohol.

“I ask myself how is it possible that children at the prime of their life could be involved in such a deadly behavior. But like yourselves, the answer remains all too bleak,” she added. These numbers, Ms. Sablan said, should be a warning signal for the community thus, the need for a widespread community education for the Northern Marianas.

Drug and alcohol dependence have also resulted in high incidence of domestic violence cases with the increase in the number of court referrals to the Center.

However, people are still reluctant to seek treatment or counseling on their own because of the stigma attached to those who seek treatment at the former Division of Mental Health and Social Services.

“We had to change the name because people do not want to be seen in the vicinity. But still, we find it hard to convince individuals to come here on their own because there’s a lot of denial,” said Ms. Sablan.

The Center is currently involved in outreach programs for elementary school children which are considered high risk groups in public schools. Education campaign in private schools is only conducted based on request.

“Our hands are full responding to requests for treatment and counseling. We can make the counselors and treatment available but the question is how accessible are you,?” said Ms. Sablan.

But the government effort alone is not enough as the involvement of parents in the education campaign and treatment is an important component, she added.

According to Arnold Seman, overall chairman of the DARE project, said police officers who are involved in the project visit the different schools almost everyday just to inform them about the dangers of drug addiction.

In their campaign, Police Office Edward Maratita said they explain to the students how to resist peer pressure which plays a big factor in the spread of drugs.

“If you don’t join them in taking drugs, you will get beaten up,” said Normaine Pangelinan, 12, who is a 7th grade student at Hopwood.

The CNMI DARE program focuses on elementary school children with the hope that they can reach as much number of young people who are not yet exposed to drugs.

Mr. Seman said they are happy that the children in various schools have responded positively to the program. In one of its graduation ceremonies, a young girl admitted that she was responsible for bringing in drugs to the school as she asked forgiveness to her classmates and friends.