Mason County youth marijuana usage increases, according to survey.

More Mason County youth are using marijuana compared to kids the same age four years prior, according to the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey. As of 2014, the most current survey year, Mason County youth are also beginning to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana at age 12; 47% of 9th grade and 11th grade students said they had consumed alcohol and 55% of them said that alcohol was “sort of” or “very” easy to access. In addition, 36% of students in grades 9 and 11 said they had tried marijuana, up 20% compared to 2010.

The results were discussed during the inaugural planning meeting of the Mason County Substance Abuse Coalition, which includes representatives from law enforcement, schools, healthcare, public and mental health, non-profit agencies, youth-serving organizations, and others.

In addition to early alcohol use and use of marijuana among youth, the coalition prioritized synthetic drug use and increased use of opioids among young adults as the main issues of concern for the community.  Over the summer, a subcommittee will collect additional data on these target issues. In the fall, the full group will reconvene to develop strategies and actions to address these issues in Mason County.  

This project is part of a larger state initiative to address substance abuse among youth and young adults. The work of the coalition is made possible in part from funding provided by Lakeshore Regional Entity to District Health Department #10 in Mason County.

Those wishing to be involved in the coalition, or those with questions about this project, may contact Katie Miller at: kmiller@dhd10.org or 231-316-8567.