Charting
subjects such as drug and alcohol use, bullying, and the roles of adult
family members in the lives of high schoolers, the survey shows that,
while Somerville's teens continue to be exposed to the requisite
dangers of their age group, they are generally less "at risk" than the
average Massachusetts teenager. Cory Mashburn, the Acting Director of
SCAP, was encouraged by the results. "We're lower than statewide
average in most categories," he said. "Since 2006, levels didn't go up.
That's a positive."

64% of Somerville high school students
reported having consumed alcohol, but only 37% had done so within 30
days of taking the survey. In each category, Somerville's numbers are
9% lower than the Massachusetts average and have decreased nearly 7%
since 2002. In terms of other substance abuse, 20.8% of high schoolers,
and 29% of 12th graders, have smoked marijuana, a slight rise since
2006 but nearly seven points lower than in 2002. "Hard" drug usage,
such as cocaine, oxycontin and heroin appear to have declined slightly,
while ecstasy showed a slight rise.

Though the numbers are
encouraging, the work of SCAP, and other community organizations
devoted to adolescent health, is far from finished and may be at risk
due to the declining economy. At a presentation of the results on March
5th, students repeatedly suggested more after-school programs, and
other projects that might engage adolescents in the community, as
antidotes to substance abuse and violence. "It starts with making sure
that the kids have something to do," said Mashburn. As the economy
contracts, however, such programs are being subjected to cuts. For
example, Teen Connection, a health clinic within Somerville High School
that is designed to provide teens and young adults with physical and
psychological assistance, has lost its funding and will close in June.
SCAP appears to be safe–at least for the time being–as it has been
guaranteed two federal grants that will provide funding for the next
two years.

Although drug and alcohol use largely decreased or
remained stable, not all the results were positive. A reminder of the
potential hardships of adolescence, the number of students who reported
having been bullied increased 6% since 2006, up to 24%, despite the
fact that fights on school grounds decreased by 2%. Bullying, said
Mashburn, has been known to lead to depression, weight loss and the
potential of self-inflicted harm.

Such issues of student
health and safety have recently been spotlighted by the two deaths of
Massachusetts teenagers in the last five months due to underage
drinking. "These kinds of incidents put more pressure on SCAP," said
Mashburn, "and it shows why we're needed."