Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Data Of the 83

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Data

Of the 83 counties in MI, Kalamazoo ranks 7 th highest in Alcohol Involved Crashes 2007 MI Drunk Driving Audit

2005 Youth United Way Issues Survey Included 6 Kalamazoo County High Schools, nearly 1000 respondents 1) Drunk Driving/ Underage Alcohol Use 2) Teen Pregnancy 3) Substance Abuse 4) Depression

Where do people your age usually drink alcohol? Kalamazoo Region Youth Responses Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 2007 Needs Assessment Summary

When do people your age usually drink? Kalamazoo Region Youth Responses Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 2007 Needs Assessment Summary

During the past 12 months, how many times have you participated in an alcohol or drug prevention program while at school? Kalamazoo Region Youth Responses Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 2007 Needs Assessment Summary

How difficult or easy would it be for you to obtain alcohol if you wanted some? Kalamazoo Region Youth Responses Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 2007 Needs Assessment Summary

Kalamazoo County Enforcement • In 2007 there were 769 MIP convictions in Kalamazoo County (8 th highest in the state) • More than 11% of Juvenile arrests made in Kalamazoo County in 2006 were for DUI offenses • Between 11/2004 and 6/2008 a total of 261 Meth labs were shut down • In 2007, The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET)made 724 arrests and seized over $1 million worth of illegal substances Sources: MI State Police 2007 Alcohol Audit County Summary, Kalamazoo Co. Health and Community Services, Kalamazoo Public Safety Annual Report

Kalamazoo County Health Stats • Bronson Hospital reports the total number of ER visits by patients under 21 for drug and alcohol related conditions was 1, 499 in 2007. • This represents an increase of more than 37% over 2006, and a stunning increase of more than 500% over 2001 • Since 2003, a total of 181 people have died of drug overdoses • Of those 181 deaths, more than one third involved heroin or another opiate • In a 17 month period ending 6/2008, there were 11 heroin/opiate overdose deaths involving youth age 22 or younger Sources: Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo Gazette, Kalamazoo County Death Records

Community Perceptions • 90% of adults think kids have never taken alcohol without permission • 88% of youth believe their parents disapprove of underage drinking • 80% of youth believe they will not get caught drinking • 50% of A/B students do not think it is COOL to use alcohol Sources: 2002 -2006 Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 2008 Kalamazoo Regional Coordinating Agency

Youth Drug Trends • 13% of 12 th graders reported having sold illegal drugs • 18% of 12 th graders reported having been drunk or high at school • 1/3 of students said getting alcohol or marijuana was “very easy” Source: Michigan Substance Abuse Risk and Protective Factors 2000/2001 Student Survey: Western Region Results “ 43% of Michigan students said they had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days. ” – Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 “At least 22% of Michigan students have smoked, drank alcohol, or tried marijuana by age ten. ” – Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005

Drug Trends 2007 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey