HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORT RISKY BEHAVIORS

(01/16/2004)
State education officials have released results of the 2003 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey is based on self-reporting.

Survey findings included the following:

_ 44 percent of high school students drank alcohol during the 30 days before the survey was taken, compared with 49 percent in 1999.

_ 23 percent used marijuana during those 30 days, compared with 29 percent in 1999.

_ 28-point-five percent smoked within 30 days of the survey, compared with 42 percent in 1999.

_ 9 percent of high school students attempted suicide sometime during the 12 months before the survey, compared to 8 percent in 1999.

_ 52 percent were sexually active, compared with 55 percent in 1999.

_ 35 percent described themselves as overweight, compared with 27 percent in 1999.

_ 85 percent used seat belts in cars at least sometimes, compared with 79 percent in 1999.