MEASURABLE RESULTS

The long-term goal of the coalition is to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among Revere youth by ten per cent.  Data from the 1997 and 2005 Revere Teen Health Survey, a survey of teen behavior conducted by Revere Public Schools, indicate that the efforts of Revere CARES are having a positive impact in many areas. 

• Tobacco use is declining: 

Among High School Students The percent of youth ever having smoked declined from 70% to 60% (14% decrease).  The percent currently smoking declined from 34% to 26% (24% decrease).
Among Middle School Students:  The percent of youth ever having smoked declined from 54% to 41% (24% decrease)

• Alcohol use is declining:

Among High School Students:  Lifetime alcohol use has remained fairly stable since 1997, the percent of youth who drank alcohol during the past month increased from 51% to 54% since 1997 but decreased from 1999 from 59% to 54% (8% decrease).  The percent ever having been drunk declined from 65% to 57% (12% decrease).  The percent having engaged in binge drinking dropped from 34% to 32% (6% decrease).
Among Middle School Students: The percent of youth who have ever drunk alcohol declined from 59% to 49% (17% decrease)

• Marijuana use is declining:

Among High School Students: The percent of youth ever having used marijuana declined from 53% to 46% (13% decrease).  The percent currently using marijuana declined from 33% to 29% (12% decrease).
Among Middle School Students: The percent of youth ever having used marijuana increased from 20% to 21% during this time but has decreased from 22% to 21% since 1999.

Since 1997 there has been a 60% increase in youth talking with adults about their alcohol and drug use (4% in 1997 to 10% in 2005) Increasing communication between youth and adults about alcohol or other drug use is an important component of Revere CARES efforts to reduce substance use.  Unfortunately, data from the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted by The Massachusetts Department of Education in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, will not be available until spring 2006.  Until the release of the state data, comparisons between Revere substance use rates and rates statewide cannot be made.

Knowledge of the Coalition and its impact

In a 2003 survey of Revere households, over half (55%) of all residents reported knowing about the Revere CARES Coalition.  When asked about the impact of the Coalition, 84% of respondents believed that Revere was better off than the previous year because of the efforts of Revere CARES.  Ninety two percent of the respondents believed that the efforts of Revere CARES are likely to reduce substance use in Revere.

The Revere CARES Coalition is proud of these accomplishments, but at the same time recognizes that permanent change in all areas will require a long-term effort.  The Coalition is committed to continuing its work to reduce substance use among Revere youth.

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