MEXICO – Just six years ago, the use of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and other illegal substances was higher among Oxford County sixth- through 12th-grade youngsters than the state average.

Now, according to a survey unveiled by the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, Healthy Oxford Hills and Community Concepts, most of those figures are on par with state averages, or in some instances, below.

The most startling declines involved the use of cigarettes, which dropped by 42 percent in the past six years, falling slightly below the state average, at 13.5 percent, down from 23.4 percent, the abuse of prescription drugs, which dropped from 20 percent to 11.6 percent, and the use of inhalants, a drop of 19.8 percent.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no work left to be done.

Patricia Duguay, coordinator of the healthy communities organization, said many parents don’t realize that their youngsters are using alcohol or inhalants, or indulging in binge drinking.

Part of the survey, taken over a year-long period from data collected from seven Oxford County school districts, interviews with counselors, police officers, and other people in contact with youngsters, shows that while only 2 percent of parents believe their eighth-graders have used alcohol in the past month, 21 percent report having used it. Similar disparities occur in ninth-grade, where the figures are 2 percent parents, 31 percent youngsters, 10th-grade, 4 percent and 38 percent, 11th-grade, 11 percent and 45 percent, and 12th-grade, 12 percent and 49 percent.

Inhalant use is a growing problem nationwide, said Duguay, with more young users than older teens.

“This is not a specific drug but a method of getting high,” said Duguay. “It’s the fourth most abused substance after alcohol, marijuana and non-prescribed prescription drugs.”

Snuffing, huffing and bagging are all part of the lingo and methods to deliver legal substances, such as the propellant in aerosol cans, and the fumes from gasoline, whiteout, and other common materials into the body’s system.

She said parents must watch for warning signs that their child may be sniffing harmful fumes that could cause brain damage, tremors, short-term memory loss, liver and kidney damage, and even death.

Signs include red, runny eyes and noses, frequent nosebleeds, nausea and loss of appetite, and constant coughing and sniffing.

Alcohol is the most abused drug for both youth and adults. Duguay said the next round of efforts will be directed at underage drinking and binge drinking.

She said her organization is looking at developing a parent modeling program that could steer young people away from alcohol. Members are also considering asking the Legislature to add 10 cents to every drink sold to help provide counseling and treatment for people with alcohol problems.

And with only a handful of people turning out for Wednesday’s presentation, Duguay said alternative ways to reach families with solutions for fighting substance abuse must be found.

The program was the fourth of five presentations made around Northern Oxford County.

For additional information, contact the coalition at [email protected]