by Georgeana M Cook

Lopez Island Prevention Coalition

Summer is a great time, but it also can be a challenging one when it comes to first time use of drugs and alcohol among youth. Estimates of substance initiation, also known as first time use, is an important measure of the nation’s substance use problem and can help identify patterns of use. Communities with limited resources may find that targeting efforts towards preventing tobacco and alcohol sales to minors to be an effective strategy particularly during the summer months.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a report compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, first time use of most substance use peaks during the summer months of June and July. On an average day in June, July or December, more than 11,000 youth use alcohol for the first time; in other months, the daily average ranges from about 5,000 to 8,000 new users per day. On average day in June or July, more than 5,000 youth smoke cigarettes for the first time; in other months, the daily average ranged from about 3,000 to 4,000 new users per day. On an average day in June or July, more than 4,800 youth use marijuana for the first time, whereas the daily average ranged from about 3,000 to 4,000 in other months.

These findings underscore the importance of parents and caretakers reinforcing messages about the risk involved with using alcohol and drugs to their children, year-round, while consistently restricting access to these substances.  The Lopez Island Prevention Coalition encourages the community to continue their ongoing efforts to reduce the use of substance abuse among youth on Lopez.