In May, results from the 2018 Youth Assessment Survey (YAS) were released. This locally porduced assessment has been asking important questions to our 8th, 10th and 12th graders since 2005. In fall 2017, nearly 4400 area students answered questions about school, physical and mental health, substance use and relationships. Their responses are important, insightful and hopefully will shape the way we bring needed services to them in the next 2 years. Take some time and look at the complete report here

In the 2017 Youth Assessment Survey, 21.3% of youth in our county indicated that they have used marijuana at least once. Additionally, 45% of high school students here in Ottawa County said that there is little or no risk in regular marijuana use. This perception that marijuana is NOT harmful is held by many American youth, and is part of the reason that marijuana use among our youth is drastically increasing. Respond to their inaccurate views by arming yourself with the FACTS on youth marijuana use: it does affect learning, memory, judgement and coordination. It can affect your heart rate, and cause lung problems. Read more here so you can have the facts when they present the myths.

and you might avoid summertime drug experimentation. Research has shown that first time use of substances tends to increase during the summer months. Try to combat the oh-so-familiar cries of "I'm bored" by encouraging things like outdoor activities and exercise, volunteer work, cooking, learning a new language--really ANYTHING that your kids/youth are interested in. Find more tip s here.