The results are in from a national survey addressing risky behaviors among students at Old Rochester Regional Junior High and High School. While most of the data shows local students in line with state and national averages, there were areas of concern, especially in the categories of suicide, sexual violence and binge drinking.

Beth Beatriz, a public health professional and ORR graduate, presented data from the survey at the ORR School Committee meeting on June 10. The data reflects the answers from 924 students polled in April.

Created by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Youth Risk Assessment Survey has age appropriate versions for junior high and high school aged students. The survey and follow-up data analysis was paid for through a grant meant to help reduce opioid use.

“We wanted to get a snapshot of where our students are as far as social and emotional health,” said Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos.

The confidential, online test was administered to all ORR students except the ninth grade, which had taken another behavioral survey earlier in the year.

The Youth Risk Assessment Survey is broken into several categories, including safety and injury, mental health, alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors and physical health.

Before discussing the data, Beatriz cautioned that it was an overview.

“It is only a snapshot and it leaves a lot of questions open,” she said. “We’re supposed to use it as a way to begin dialogues.”

Suicide was an area of particular concern. The data found that the rate of students attempting suicide was similar to those at the state and national rate. However, the percentage of students who said they were seriously considering suicide was higher than national rates (15 percent compared to 6 percent.)

Six percent of males and 7 percent of females have attempted suicide. Of the male students who reported that they had made a plan to commit suicide, 96 percent also attempted suicide.

Regarding tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, the data was mixed.

Only 4 percent of seventh graders and 7 percent of eighth graders had ever smoked cigarettes. (No state or national data is available for the junior high.) The percentage of high school students who tried cigarettes was, for the most part, significantly lower than state and national averages. Only 13 percent of 10^th graders and 21 percent of 11^th graders had tried cigarettes, compared to 39 percent and 47 percent at the national level, respectively.

E-cigarette use is on the rise, however.

“Almost a quarter of high school students have tried e-cigarettes,” said Beatriz.

Data on alcohol use shows a big jump between seventh grade and high school, in keeping with state and national averages.

The survey report states: “Eight-two percent of junior high school students reported never having a drink of alcohol.”

At the high school level, students who had five or more drinks in one setting within the past 30 days was lower than state and national percentages. But that is likely cold comfort to parents. Five drinks and up is considered binge drinking, and 44 percent of students who said they had consumed a drink in the past month also said they had consumed at least five glasses of alcohol. Thirteen percent reported 10 or more drinks in one sitting.

Regarding drug use, 13 percent of junior high students reported trying illicit drugs compared to half of students in grades 10 through 12. Marijuana was the most prevalent at the high school (47 percent). Prescription drugs (15 percent), hallucinogens (11 percent), ecstasy or MDMA (7 percent), cocaine (6 percent) and heroin (4 percent) also made the list.

The data also shows that 20 percent of high school students reported being offered, given or sold illegal drugs on ORR’s campus in the past year. That number is slightly lower than in the state (23 percent) and nation (22 percent).

“It’s the same everywhere else,” said Beatriz. “I’m trying to provide context but not diminish things.”

She next moved to sexual behaviors.

“Were trying to get at risky behaviors that have unintended consequences, long-term consequences,” explained Beatriz.

At the junior high, data shows that 8 percent of students report having had sex (12 percent male, 4 percent female.) Forty-one percent of high school students reported having had sex, with 30 percent sexually active in the past three months.

Of that 30 percent, 33.5 percent reported not using a condom, which is lower than state and national percentages (42.5 and 40.9, respectively).

The number of sexually active high school students who did not use birth control, however, was higher than both the state and national numbers: 17.2 percent reported not using birth control, compared to 10.5 for the state and 13.7 for the nation.

Another concerning number regarded physical dating violence. Beatriz said it is often considered something only females experience, but that is an inaccurate assumption. ORR males and females reported similar rates of sexual violence.

Eight percent of students who had been on a date in the past year reported being “hit, slammed into something or injured with an object or weapon on purpose.” Sixteen percent of students who had been on a date reported sexual violence.

While much of the data showed risky behaviors that, even when not prevalent, is concerning, there were a number of positives reflected by the survey. More than 90 percent of all students surveyed said they wear their seatbelt most or all of the time.

Additionally, at least 94 percent of students feel safe going to school.

The data also looked at students’ diets, at weapons on campus and electronic bullying.

To evaluate the information and work towards healthier behaviors, the school is initiating the Healthy Tri-town Coalition.

The new group will be able to delve into the data, such as looking at possible correlations between drug use and dating violence and depression and bullying.

“The data doesn’t lie, but you need to know what questions to ask it,” said Beatriz.

Gary Taylor, a local minister, attended the meeting and said he hoped spiritual topics could also be brought up in the coalition.

Despite studies that show positive benefits to individuals and societies where many are engaged in a religious community, he said often “ the spiritual dimension gets totally ignored.”

“It would seem to me it would behoove us not to just invite educators, coaches, the health professionals, but to also engage that other dimension,” Taylor said.

Frangos said all would be welcome at the coalition’s first meeting on June 15.

More information on the coalition as well as more detailed results of the survey can be found at www.oldrochester.org.