By George P. Hassett

Young people in Somerville are drinking alcohol and using drugs at lower rates than in previous years, but experiences with violence are on the rise, and kids are struggling with their weight and overall physical health, according to a recently released study conducted by the Somerville Health Department and the Cambridge Health Alliance.

The study was funded by state grants. It examined how today’s youth between the ages of 6 and 24 is handling five different types of health issues. The categories looked at were sexual activity, nutrition and physical activity, substance abuse and mental health and violence.

Jessica Collins, of the Cambridge Health Alliance, and Noreen Burke, Somerville health director, both said the results pertaining to violence and physical health are alarming.

The study found instances of violence involving young people and their families is on the rise by 64 percent. In 2002, 9 percent of high school students reported witnessing violence in their families, while in 2006 that number increased to 14 percent.    

Elena Lafortune is a senior at Somerville High and works with Teen Empowerment. The biggest problem for city youth, according to Lafortune, is having no one to talk to during difficult times. In the study, fewer Somerville students reported having an adult to talk about important issues with than students in other towns of cities throughout the commonwealth.

“A lot of kids in Somerville feel like adults don’t care about our problems,” she said.

Burke said prominent city leaders and officials could be good mentors for young people.

“People like aldermen can be better role models and mentors than the bad ones we see on television and in the movies,” she said.

Collins said the encouraging part of the study was the decrease in drug and alcohol use in Somerville high school students. Alcohol use among high school students in Somerville has been declining for the past three years decreased in 2006 and remains lower than statewide average, according to the study. In addition, Oxycontin use has fallen by half. The decrease is from 6 percent of high school students reportedly using the drug for recreational use down to 3 percent.

Cocaine, marijuana and heroin are also believed to be declining among the young people of the city, according to the study.

The study found half of students in fourth through eighth grade are either overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Also, in those grades, only half of the group could pass a fitness test.

The report set forth recommendations on how to address the issue. It said the city should increase healthy options in school vending machines, offer expanded physical education classes and institute a citywide effort to encourage walking as a form of transportation.