MONROE - Young people in Monroe say drug use is more common than most people, even parents, realize.
Three recent high school graduates, who identified themselves as Steve, Aaron and Brian but didn't want to reveal their last names, said adults have no idea how many kids are using drugs. Parents would probably be shocked if they knew how many kids used drugs even occasionally, they said.
Marijuana is the most common drug used, they said.
"It's easy to get," Brian said. "We're pretty close to Freeport and Madison. You just have to know the right person."
They said marijuana doesn't have the same negative connotations as drugs, such as cocaine, and compared marijuana to beer in its social acceptance.
"Marijuana is more like a recreational drug," Steve said.
A study conducted by the Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth (GUPPY) included a Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2007. The survey, released in 2009, provided statistics about drug use in Green County, compared with the state and the nation. The survey was given to middle school and high school students across Green County.
According to the survey, about 28 percent of Green County teens used marijuana one or more times in their lives, compared with about 37 percent statewide and about 38 percent nationally. Almost 16 percent of Green County teens used marijuana 30 days prior to the survey, compared to about 20 percent statewide and nationally.
While marijuana is the most common, prescription drug abuse is becoming more common, the teens said.
Steve said he has heard about "Skittles parties" during which young people bring prescription pills to a party and toss them into a bowl. They then grab a handful of pills and take them, not knowing what they're ingesting - it could be anything, he said.
Steve said he hasn't heard of any such parties in Monroe, but he has heard about them in other communities in Green County.
"That's pretty stupid," he said. "You don't know what you're going to be taking."
"That's the worst idea ever," Aaron added.
The teens said they know some people who use harder drugs, but most of their friends don't.
According to the GUPPY survey, about 2 percent of males and 2.5 percent of females have used some form of cocaine. More than 10.5 percent have sniffed glue, breathed the contents of spray cans or inhaled paints or sprays to get high.
The survey also reported that almost 5 percent of males and more than 5.5 percent of females, have attended school while under the influence of an illegal drug, such as marijuana or alcohol.
Coming Wednesday: Parents need to take the lead in educating children about drugs.
Three recent high school graduates, who identified themselves as Steve, Aaron and Brian but didn't want to reveal their last names, said adults have no idea how many kids are using drugs. Parents would probably be shocked if they knew how many kids used drugs even occasionally, they said.
Marijuana is the most common drug used, they said.
"It's easy to get," Brian said. "We're pretty close to Freeport and Madison. You just have to know the right person."
They said marijuana doesn't have the same negative connotations as drugs, such as cocaine, and compared marijuana to beer in its social acceptance.
"Marijuana is more like a recreational drug," Steve said.
A study conducted by the Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth (GUPPY) included a Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2007. The survey, released in 2009, provided statistics about drug use in Green County, compared with the state and the nation. The survey was given to middle school and high school students across Green County.
According to the survey, about 28 percent of Green County teens used marijuana one or more times in their lives, compared with about 37 percent statewide and about 38 percent nationally. Almost 16 percent of Green County teens used marijuana 30 days prior to the survey, compared to about 20 percent statewide and nationally.
While marijuana is the most common, prescription drug abuse is becoming more common, the teens said.
Steve said he has heard about "Skittles parties" during which young people bring prescription pills to a party and toss them into a bowl. They then grab a handful of pills and take them, not knowing what they're ingesting - it could be anything, he said.
Steve said he hasn't heard of any such parties in Monroe, but he has heard about them in other communities in Green County.
"That's pretty stupid," he said. "You don't know what you're going to be taking."
"That's the worst idea ever," Aaron added.
The teens said they know some people who use harder drugs, but most of their friends don't.
According to the GUPPY survey, about 2 percent of males and 2.5 percent of females have used some form of cocaine. More than 10.5 percent have sniffed glue, breathed the contents of spray cans or inhaled paints or sprays to get high.
The survey also reported that almost 5 percent of males and more than 5.5 percent of females, have attended school while under the influence of an illegal drug, such as marijuana or alcohol.
Coming Wednesday: Parents need to take the lead in educating children about drugs.