IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – In a comprehensive analysis of a recent youth survey, prevention experts in Dickinson and Iron Counties have uncovered significant data regarding the risk and protective factors affecting local youth. The biannual survey, administered anonymously to students in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades, provides a detailed snapshot of substance use and mental health concerns in the community.
Conducted by Bach Harrison, L.L.C., the survey’s raw data is reported back to Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care. In 2024, participation included 163 6th graders, 198 8th graders, 305 10th graders, and 214 12th graders. The findings revealed worrying trends, especially concerning the usage of alcohol, e-cigarettes, and marijuana across all grades.
Substance Use Among Students
The survey highlighted the following lifetime substance use rates:
• 6th Graders: 10.3% have used alcohol, 0.7% e-cigarettes, and 3.5% inhalants.
• 8th Graders: 13.4% have tried alcohol, 7.3% e-cigarettes, and 5.6% marijuana.
• 10th Graders: 27.6% have used alcohol, 13.6% e-cigarettes, and 11.4% marijuana.
• 12th Graders: 32.6% have consumed alcohol, 16.9% e-cigarettes, and 16.9% marijuana.
The survey also indicated substantial recent use of energy drinks, with the highest usage reported among sophomores (54.2%) and seniors (46.3%) within the past 30 days.
Mental Health Concerns
Tracy Johnson, Prevention Coordinator at Great Lakes Recovery Centers, emphasized the alarming rise in youth depression and anxiety. “In the past years, the depression and anxiety levels for Dickinson and Iron County have exceeded the national average by probably 20-25%,” Johnson noted. The survey showed local youth depression and anxiety levels at 53%, starkly higher than the national average of 38.7%.
Source and Location of Substance Use
Questions related to how students obtained marijuana revealed diverse sources. Among seniors, 27.5% received it from someone 21 or older, while a significant number reported getting it from various other sources, including parties and the internet. Locations of use also varied, with a notable percentage using it at home, sometimes with parental permission.
Prevention Efforts and Programs
The survey results underscore the importance of local prevention programs like Botvin’s Life Skills, Guiding Good Choices Family Program, and Prime for Life Substance Use Program. Initiatives such as these, recently extended to 4th and 5th graders in 7 school districts, have shown promise in reducing risk factors by at least 4-5%.
Bob Boivin, coordinator for Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care, stressed the necessity of continued education. “Now that we’ve talked about what it is that we are looking for, we want to show what the numbers are showing us so that we can present. Eventually, we’ll have a report that says ‘ok, this is what we as a committee have decided our biggest risk factors of our community are, and the biggest protective factors,’” Boivin explained.
Conclusion:
The next Data Group meeting to discuss these findings is scheduled for the second week of July. The survey’s results provide a critical foundation for shaping future prevention strategies and addressing the pressing mental health and substance use issues facing the youth of Dickinson and Iron Counties.
For more information about the Dickinson-Iron Communities that Care, visit:
