We want to help you, the parents, to have access to knowledge, facts, and resources concerning adolescent substance use and abuse.  Below you'll find local statistics for the Lafayette parish, based on the CCYS data.  Following that information, we've provided links to other websites that offer a great deal of information and facts that you need to know (we figured instead of reinventing the wheel, we'll just show you someone else's). 

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Lafayette Parish Substance Use Facts

• 45% of 12th graders reported getting alcohol at home with their parent's permission.
• Nearly 60% of 12th graders reported that they used alcohol at someone else's home with their parent's permission.
• 43% of the 8th graders have had alcoholic beverages (more than just a few sips) in their lifetime.
• In the past 30 days, 52% of 12th graders and 35% of 10th graders have drank alcohol.
• 13% of 12th graders reported being drunk or high at school.
• In the past 2 weeks, one out of three seniors were binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row).
• 35% of 12th graders thought it was very easy or sort of easy in their community for someone under 21 to buy alcohol from a store.
• Almost 1 out of 3 seniors have reported using marijuana.
• 21% of 12th graders bought alcohol for themselves without the use of a fake ID and 52% got it from someone that they knew under the age of 21.
• In the past 30 days, more than 16% of 12th graders have used marijuana. 
• The average age of starting to use alcohol and cigarettes is at 10.6 years old, while marijuana is at 12 years old.  
• In the past 30 days, 38% of 10th graders reported riding in a car with someone who had been drinking alcohol.

Remember, it is NEVER to early to start talking with your child about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs!

For proven skills to prevent underage drinking, see Parents Empowered or AlcoholEdu for Parents.