Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Marijuana usage among high school juniors and seniors is at its highest level in 30 years, according to a recent nationwide survey.
The survey, conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions also showed that 19 percent of teenage drivers report they have driven under the influence of marijuana.
"It's not surprising they're going to be doing other risky behaviors as well such as driving under the influence," said Program Administrator for the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Craig PoVey.
PoVey says the number of Utah teens smoking marijuana is not at its highest levels, but there is an increase in the number who admit to doing the drug.
"We've had a decrease in use for several years in a row and now all of a sudden we're seeing some slight clicks upward," PoVey said.
From the state's research, PoVey concludes the uptick can be partly attributed to the belief that marijuana is safe.
Yeah, a lot of people do it.
–High school student
"If anybody has the perception that something is not going to cause them harm or cause little harm, they're more likely to use it," he said.
In 2011, the most recent Student Health and Risk Prevention survey the state conducted throughout Utah school districts showed 17.2 percent of 10th graders admitted to smoking pot versus 15.5 percent in 2009. For 12th graders, the increase was even higher, rising from 20.4 percent in 2009 to 24 percent in 2011.
While Utah teens may have told state surveyors they smoke marijuana, KSL wanted to know how rampant the problem is perceived to be among teens. We asked some local high school students what they thought. We received varying degrees of the same answer.
One high school student was asked, "Do you know people who do marijuana?" The response: "Yeah, a lot of people do it."
Another student said, "Yeah, like the whole school."
We've got to make sure that the parents are doing their role. The schools are doing their role and the communities are doing their role. If you take any one of those out, you're putting the kids at risk.
–Craig PoVey
"It's a trend, I guess," said another high school student. "Some people think it's cool. That's how they get along, I guess."
Asked if they know people who have used marijuana at school, one high school student said: "Plenty. Actually, it's not something anyone is really ashamed of."
PoVey suggests parents should not be discouraged. Rather, he said the data shows parental involvement is one of the strongest deterrence a child can have from doing drugs.
"We've got to make sure that the parents are doing their role. The schools are doing their role and the communities are doing their role," he said. "If you take any one of those out, you're putting the kids at risk."
For more information on the state's SHARP survey, which includes a host of topics including drugs, click HERE.