|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Recently, I asked 123 students from Castro Valley High School about substance abuse among their peers.
These survey results are now shedding light on a possible larger community issue: Substance exposure and use among adolescents across Alameda County.
While the data comes from one school, the patterns mirror regional and national trends, showing that teens are navigating a landscape shaped by easy access, misinformation, and gaps in mental-health support.
The survey found that 34% of students had been offered substances such as alcohol or marijuana, and 24% had been offered nicotine products. Although more than 80% denied purchasing or possessing any substances, the level of exposure reflects a growing normalization of substance use in teen social settings.
Perception plays a significant role as well. When asked how many of their peers they believe use substances, 40% of students estimated that “about half” do, while 30% believed usage was limited.
These assumptions suggest that many teens believe substance use is common behavior, a perception that can influence peer pressure and decision-making.
Perhaps the most telling sign is the lack of awareness around prevention efforts. Nearly 50% of students said they were unaware of any active drug education or intervention programs, and only 8% found existing efforts effective.
Samuel Frank, a counselor at the CVHS Wellness Center, said the findings align with what mental-health professionals are observing countywide.
“When students say they’re using it to cope with mental health or stress, it’s a signal that we need more than disciplinary action,” Frank explained. “We need ongoing emotional support and education that speaks their language.”
For Alameda County, this survey goes to reveal a critical challenge – while many teens are not actively using substances, they are routinely exposed to them and may lack the support systems necessary to make informed, healthy decisions.
Strengthening youth-centered education, bolstering mental-health services, and adopting harm-reduction models may be key steps toward addressing the broader issue of adolescent substance use throughout the region.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
