Alcohol abuse and bullying on the rise in Pennsylvania schools

By Staff Writer

A Pennsylvania youth survey reveals that fewer students are abusing non-prescribed drugs, while an increasing number of adolescents are abusing alcohol and bullying their peers.

The 2009 Pennsylvania Youth Survey asked more than 24,000 students a variety of questions related to their behaviors and attitudes on drug, alcohol, tobacco, bullying and depression. Nearly 50 percent of eighth, 10th and 12th graders reported alcohol use, while about one in four respondents said they had drank within 30 days of the survey.

Approximately 18 percent of students said that they had been physically bullied in school within the past year, while about 21 percent reported that they had money stolen or their belongings were damaged. About 51 percent of adolescents said they had been the victims of non-physical forms of bullying, such as name-calling, teasing or false rumors.

Despite a national trend of teens abusing prescription pills, only about 5 percent of respondents said that they had used non-prescribed pain relievers. Less than 3 percent admitted that they had taken stimulant medication for recreational use.

Nearly one of every three students reported symptoms of depression.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents.