Research
It’s widely documented that alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use has immediate and long-lasting impacts on an individual’s health ranging from lack of coordination, impaired judgment, and engagement in risky sexual behavior to dementia, neurological impairments, cancer, hepatitis and even death (CDC, 2012). It is imperative students be informed on the facts surrounding the use of ATOD and the consequences they might face if they do use. What is not usually covered in depth is the repercussions that ATOD use has on educational attainment and, conversely, the impact that higher levels of education have on ATOD use in individuals.
ATOD use has been linked to school problems including absenteeism and low grades (CDC, 2012). Also, youth that start drinking before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse than an individual that begins drinking at age 21 (Office of Applied Studies). Data from the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed a negative association between ATOD use and grades. “This means that students with higher grades are less likely to engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors than their classmates with lower grades, and students who do not engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors receive higher grades than their classmates who do engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors (CDC, 2012).
According to the UN (2003), a cross-country comparison shows that increases in educational attainment come before improvements in health status (p. 87). Groot and Brink (2006) suggest that the higher education that people pursue the more prone individuals are to lead a healthier lifestyle because “higher educated people are better able to gather, to process and to interpret information about healthy behavior” and that individuals who self-select higher education are more likely to put off other immediate forms of self gratification (p. 358). It follows that educational attainment is linked with better choices regarding ATOD use.
ATOD use has been linked to school problems including absenteeism and low grades (CDC, 2012). Also, youth that start drinking before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse than an individual that begins drinking at age 21 (Office of Applied Studies). Data from the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed a negative association between ATOD use and grades. “This means that students with higher grades are less likely to engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors than their classmates with lower grades, and students who do not engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors receive higher grades than their classmates who do engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors (CDC, 2012).
According to the UN (2003), a cross-country comparison shows that increases in educational attainment come before improvements in health status (p. 87). Groot and Brink (2006) suggest that the higher education that people pursue the more prone individuals are to lead a healthier lifestyle because “higher educated people are better able to gather, to process and to interpret information about healthy behavior” and that individuals who self-select higher education are more likely to put off other immediate forms of self gratification (p. 358). It follows that educational attainment is linked with better choices regarding ATOD use.
Case Study: Center, CO
The Healthy Kids Colorado survey data indicates that alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use is a concern in the Center community. In 2005, our overall use was at 29.25%. Colorado reported the overall use at 24.48% and at 24.93% for Hispanic students. Our rate was above both. However, since that time, a required health education program has been established and refined for the district. In addition, the academic acheivement of students has increased during this same time period. Center district has had one of the highest academic growth rates in the state. The high school was chosen as a Center for Educational Excellence by CDE for the past three years because of our growth in the face of significant obstacles. Our ATOD use also reflects this same growth. Last year, our overall ATOD use was 12%. Coloado was at 20.25%. This demonstrates that while ATOD use is associated with low educational attainment, strategies aimed at teaching health skills and at increasing academic acheivement can have a positive impact. The relationship between increased academic achievement, quality health education programming, and ATOD use appears to be reciprocal.
References
CDC, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm.
CDC, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/health_and_academics/pdf/alcohol_other_drug.pdf.
Colorado Department of Education. (2012). Overview of the 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey: High School. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from
colegacy.org/.../Overview_2011-Healthy-Kids-Colorado-Survey.pdf.
Dryden, J. (2012, May 17) Early Substance Use Linked to Lower Academic Performance. Medical Express podcast. Retrieved from
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-early-substance-linked.html.
Groot, W. & van den Brink, H.M. (2006) What does education do to our health? Measuring the Effects of Education on Health and Civil
Engagement. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/17/37425763.pdf.
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey-Center Consolidated School District. (2005-2011). Individual reports prepared by Omni: Denver, CO. Compiled
by Katrina Caldon-Ruggles, MA, LPC, NCC.
Office of Applied Studies. (2004) The NSDUH Report: Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age at First Use. Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/ageDependence/ageDependence.htm.
UN (2003), World Development Report 2003, United Nations, New York.
CDC, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/health_and_academics/pdf/alcohol_other_drug.pdf.
Colorado Department of Education. (2012). Overview of the 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey: High School. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from
colegacy.org/.../Overview_2011-Healthy-Kids-Colorado-Survey.pdf.
Dryden, J. (2012, May 17) Early Substance Use Linked to Lower Academic Performance. Medical Express podcast. Retrieved from
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-early-substance-linked.html.
Groot, W. & van den Brink, H.M. (2006) What does education do to our health? Measuring the Effects of Education on Health and Civil
Engagement. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/17/37425763.pdf.
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey-Center Consolidated School District. (2005-2011). Individual reports prepared by Omni: Denver, CO. Compiled
by Katrina Caldon-Ruggles, MA, LPC, NCC.
Office of Applied Studies. (2004) The NSDUH Report: Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age at First Use. Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/ageDependence/ageDependence.htm.
UN (2003), World Development Report 2003, United Nations, New York.