Madison Students: Drug Use is Increasing at High School

MADISON, CT - Students who conducted a survey of drug use by Madison young people reported some troubling trends to the Board of Selectmen at the board's most recent meeting. Among the group's findings were that substance abuse has been increasing in the high school - and that the junior class has a higher rate of drug use than the senior class.

Several students who participated in the survey reported the results, along with the Youth & Family Services Board coordinator Catherine Barden, to the selectmen.

Belle, a senior at Daniel Hand, stated the survey data was "concerning." She added that the data may trend upwards over the years as older students influence younger students.

Isabelle, a junior at Daniel Hand, stated that one cause for the drug use increase "is the prevelance of social media normalization of drug usage."

Another junior at Daniel Hand, Claire, stated that one reason the junior class may have higher rates of drug use is a correlation between reported depression and drug use in the grade. She added that adults in Madison are also role models and there are many parents setting bad examples for their children "by drinking at public events, on family vacations, etc."

Jack, a sophomore at Daniel Hand, said that drugs and drug paraphernalia are easy to sneak into school.

Both Jack and Lauren, another sophomore, said it might be helpful to have speakers come into school to talk about all these issues. Lauren noted that another concerning issue is that junior year is when most teens are also acquiring their drivers' licenses.

The students also talked about what caused their peers to turn to drugs in the first place - notably stress.

Molly, a sophomore at Daniel Hand, said stress is a great factor in drug use. Claire said there also had been a spike in suicide attempts.

The information the students ticked off from the survey was concerning to the selectmen.

Selectman Bruce Wilson asked about the issue of opioid addiction, which he noted has been in the news a lot recently.

Barden then interjected some good news - stating the survey results seemed to indicate that opioid use is at a lower level than the less time the survey was conducted, which she said indicated programs in place the last two years are having a positive effect.

The presentation ended with Scott Cochran, director of Youth and Family Services, thanking the students for attending the meeting and reflecting their concerns. He said the department relies on the feedback from the students to determine which programs and services are needed in town.