Binge Drinking Survey by the CDC Shows Interesting Results for North Dakota
Sorry, this video is no longer available
The CDC releases a survey showing that there’s been a drop in binge drinking and tobacco use amongst teens in North Dakota.
This comes from a survey that began in 1990 and it takes place every Spring of odd–numbered years.
80 percent of students this year said they did not use tobacco.
A six percent increase from the last survey taken two years ago.
82 percent said they did not binge drink, a four percent increase.
“I’m glad that teenagers are learning other ways to experience freedom,” says resident Alex Malm.
Binge drinking in North Dakota is old news and stopping it is almost impossible.
According to the CDC, reducing underage drinking will require “community–based efforts to monitor the activities of youth and decrease youth access to alcohol.”
So why the sudden drop in alcohol and tobacco abuse?
“Society has been working on the youth about the dangers of smoking and alcohol use. So I think a lot of that education is starting to make an impact,” says Prairie St. John’s Addiction Counselor, Charles Bergeson.
The focus group is made up of students who voluntarily took the survey from 7th- 12th grade this past Spring.
Some people are a little doubtful of this new study.
“That’s not true; I have high school kids coming up to me all the time when I’m smoking cigarettes, asking for cigarettes. I’m thinking about myself when I was at the age, I’m sure they’re drinking,” says 25-year-old Patrick Smith.
North Dakota is said to be the “booziest state” in the nation.
But with the numbers declining in minors, this restores faith in parents.
“There is hope and that can stop and not pick it up at all,” says Malm.
Malm is recovering himself.
As parent of three, this is positive news.
More positive news from this survey, according to the State School Superintendent students also said they were more likely to wear a seat belt, less likely to drink and drive and also less likely to use a cellphone while driving.
