NCJ Number
202024
Date Published
May 2003
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the prevalence of adolescent alcohol and drug abuse in Maine, as well as prevention and treatment efforts.
Abstract
The Substance Abuse Service Commission analyzed data from the Treatment Data System, the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey, national publications, and also conducted three focus groups; one for treatment providers, one for prevention providers, and one for adolescents across the State. Results of the research revealed that alcohol is the most commonly used drug for adolescents, with 79 percent of high school seniors reporting they have tried alcohol and 49 percent reporting having used alcohol in the past month. While alcohol consumption among adolescents remains high, prevention efforts have been paying off, demonstrated by a gradual reduction in lifetime use and past month use since 1995. Specific prevention efforts and prevention needs which target adolescents are described. The efforts of parents, schools, and peers play a pivotal role in keeping adolescents from consuming alcohol and illicit drugs. Finally, the report describes treatment efforts and specific treatment needs in the State of Maine, including the need for increased access to detoxification services and the need to educate health care providers about the early identification of adolescent substance abuse. The appendix offers a bibliography, a list of the focus group participants, and a list of the members of the Substance Abuse Services Commission.