A Comparison of National, State, and Local Drug Use Surveys: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Rx for Addiction and Medication Safety Program.

OBJECTIVE

To understand adolescent substance use and its known risk factors at the local and state level; to inform the development of future programs to reduce substance misuse among adolescents.

METHODS

Survey data collected from a convenience sample of Rhode Island 9th-grade students prior to administration of the RAMS curriculum in 2016 and 2017 was compared to 2017 Rhode Island and National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data.

RESULTS

Seventeen percent (2016 RAMS), 10% (2017 RAMS), 6% (RIYRBS) and 11% (NYRBS) of students reported ever using prescription pain reliever without a physician prescription. One percent (2016 RAMS, 2017 RAMS), 3% (RIYRBS), and 2% (NYRBS) reported ever using heroin. Seven percent (2016 RAMS, 2017 RAMS), and 12% (RIYRBS, NYRBS) reported using cannabis in previous 30 days.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight a unique need for targeted education based on school and community risk and protective factors and misuse differences.