Marin County News

Teens say it's easy to buy tobacco, drink

Marin Independent Journal

June 19, 2003 - Teens have an easy time getting alcohol, tobacco and drugs in Marin, and might have their families to thank for the urges to use them, according to a survey by the Youth Leadership Institute.

Three-quarters of the 588 high school students who responded to the survey said they see family members use alcohol and a third reported that someone in their immediate family uses tobacco.

In addition, 16 percent say they observe family members using illegal drugs.

The survey was to be presented to members of the Board of Supervisors and others in the community this morning by members of the Youth Health Advisory Council, a teen committee of the institute that conducted it.

The institute, with offices in San Rafael and San Francisco, helps to train and develop students in leadership roles in the community.

The 16 youth council members from high schools countywide decided to look at access and influences - rather than the usual approach of asking about the types of substances teens use and the frequency with which they use them - to explore the factors that contribute to substance abuse among their peers.

For the first time, the survey collected data about both the influences that encourage use as well as where illicit substances are obtained.

The survey sheds light on these issues, including:

• 47 percent of teens said they buy tobacco products at gas stations.
• 26 percent said they buy liquor at supermarkets and 23 percent at liquor stores.
• One in four underage buyers said they were asked for identification whey they bought tobacco and slightly fewer than half reported they were consistently asked for proof when buying alcohol.
• About 15 percent of the teens said family members are most often their source of alcohol.

The family factor was not expected by Maureen Sedonaen, the institute's executive director.

"I was surprised at just how many people are not only role-modeling a lot of drinking in front of kids, but also providing alcohol," Sedonaen said.

Using the survey results, the Youth Health Advisory Council came up with recommendations and will conduct a campaign to encourage county leaders to help prevent substance abuse among young people.

For instance, the council suggests developing tobacco licensing ordinances for retail outlets and recommends that clerks in stores be trained to require identification for alcohol purchases by young people.

The council also identified families, movies, television and other media as sources that promote the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and suggested that adults present themselves as role models in not supporting the use of these substances.

"Research shows that if we cut the access that they have to tobacco and alcohol, there are a percentage of young people who will reduce their use and a number that will stop - or not even start," Kaufman said.

Larry Meredith, the county's director of Health and Human Services, said the survey provides an important tool for the community.

"I think the involvement of youth in addressing both the research on what is going on and involving youth-based approaches to reducing alcohol, drug and tobacco use is compelling," Meredith said. "It is incredibly valuable to both the youths who are directly involved and to all youths. This is really one of the foundation stones of a healthier community."

Written by: Nancy Isles Nation, e-mail her at nnation@marinij.com