Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Teton County senior high school students ranked highest in the state for alcohol use, according to the 2008 Wyoming Prevention Needs Assessment (PNA). The study – also performed in 2001, 2004 and 2006 - was conducted by the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming. 

Valley sophomores also reported higher-than-state averages. Seventy-nine percent of 10th- graders alleged that they used alcohol at some point, while 48 percent – the second highest in the state - reported drinking within 30 days of the survey. 

Placing above most counties for marijuana, 64 percent of valley seniors said they have used marijuana in their lifetime, while 30 percent alleged partaking within 30 days.

Answers tallied from valley high school seniors also donned them with the second highest state ranking for selling illegal drugs in the last 12 months, next to Wind River Reservation seniors.

But the most staggering result was alcohol consumption. Ninety-one percent of Teton County 12th-graders reported having consumed alcohol some time in their life while 69 percent affirmed using alcohol in the past 30 days. 

According to the study, however, drug and alcohol use is not a uniform problem amongst Teton County students.

Middle school students in 6th and 8th grades were also surveyed. Drug- and alcohol-use by younger students were often times lower than the state average. 

Only 5 percent of 6th graders and 21 percent of 8th graders reported alcohol use in the past 30 days of taking the survey, compared with the highest in the state - 18 percent of sixth-graders in Hot Springs and 32 percent of eighth-graders in Wind River Reservation.

University of Wyoming research scientist Eric Canen headed the study. “It’s certainly an area of concern; we’re seeing a transition that needs to be investigated further,” he said.

When asked about the study’s margin of error, Canen said the study utilized factors to ward against inaccurate responses. 

“We have honesty measures that look at inconsistent answers, extreme [drug] use or [the use of] fictitious drugs,” Canen noted. “We ask them if they’ve been honest based on these measures, and we screen out students who appear to exaggerate.”

The study solicited anonymous and voluntary participants, which, Canen added, statistically translate to more candid answers.

Pier Trudelle is the project director for a grant from the Department of Education to reduce alcohol abuse in Teton County. Trudelle said the new drug education programs – beginning in grade 5 - that have been implemented in the last four years have benefitted students who have gone through the whole program and would not necessarily include high school seniors. 

“If you track those kids who have received all of the programs, results show that they are making a difference,” Trudelle said.  “Part of what I am hoping is that we look at that data in a larger context.”

Trudelle said that comparing results from the PNA performed in 2001, indicate progress in diminishing loose attitudes about alcohol abuse among students. 

In 2001, Trudelle noted that the PNA cited 51 percent of students who said there were laws and norms favoring drug use in Teton County. This year, however, the numbers have dipped to 42 percent. Trudelle also said that in the 2001 study, 60 percent of parents had alleged favorable attitudes toward drug use which this year, decreased to 47 percent.

Trudelle stressed, however, that it’s crucial not to focus too heavily on abuse. 

“It is important to focus on the kids who are not using pot, for example, to display to other children that it is not the social norm.” PJH