The focus was once primarily on high school students.

But the 2010  Illinois Youth Survey Results have revealed to Speak Up Executive Director Betty Frank-Bailey that the message needs to start with middle school parents.

"The majority of students who did begin drinking reported that they had their first drink before the age of 15," Frank-Bailey said. "It is causing us to shift our focus to parents of middle school students to be aware and vigilant, to set expectations and help them make a conviction not to use alcohol and drugs."

The free survey is available for use by all Illinois schools.  It has been administered to students in Districts 65 and 67 in the sixth and eighth grades in 2008 and 2010, and at Lake Forest High School  to all grades in 2010, and just 10th and 12th graders in 2006 and 2008. It provides a valuable overview of changes by tracking and measuring progress from 6^th grade. This year's survey results echo a necessity to increase parent education overall, and not just at the middle school level.

In 2008, 76 percent of six grade students reported that parents had talked to them about not using alcohol in the past 12 months.  In 2010, that number declined slightly to 71 percent.  In contrast, the pecentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders reporting that their parents had talked to them about not using alcohol had increased.

"An important part of our planning is focusing on helping parents have conversations," said District 67 Social Worker Kristen Tiveron.

And experts say those conversations need to continue as children grow. The survey also showed that many students obtain their alcohol and drugs from many familiar sources.

In 2010, of the 12th graders surveyed, 18 percent said they obtained alcohol from their parents with permission, and  27 percent from their parents without permission. Alarmingly, 79 percent of 12th graders said it would be easy or very easy to get alcohol from any source though it was down from 85 percent in 2008.  In addition, only 50 percent of 12th graders reported that most adults in their neighborhood would think it's wrong or very wrong for teens their age to drink alcohol.

"There is a real opportunity for us, not only for parents but everyone -- coaches, youth advisors, tutors, and parents of kid's friends -- to educate, as over time it will make a big difference" Frank-Bailey said.

Changing Perceptions

There is a need to change perceptions on the actual number of students using alcohol and abusing drugs. The perception that "everyone is doing" it is wrong, said Frank-Bailey. "We need to debunk the myth that everyone is doing it. When this perception is corrected, behavior will change," said Frank-Bailey.

Board member Ellen Leemputte agreed. She has more than 10 years of volunteer service with LEAD (Linking Efforts Against Drugs). "My kids in college are finding the same thing; kids perceive everyone doing it but really less than 50 percent do," said Leemputte.

Parent volunteer Audrey Clamage questioned  why there is a perception discrepancy in drinking and actual use of products?

Frank-Bailey explained, "When we did focus groups with high school students they talked about how Monday comes around and those kids that are using are talking about it loudly. Kids that aren't using are silent. This is part of the perception that is larger than reality, and this is what we are trying to show students."

Parent volunteer Karen Cunningham agreed fewer kids engage in drinking than what is said. "I have heard from a number of mothers that their kids don't want to drink. They don't go to the party if there will be drinking," Cunningham said.

Energized parent leaders are preparing to move forward with a renewed focus.  Volunteers Susan Simms and Megan Morris have already begun brainstorming ways to increase parent awareness and support efforts.

"I would like to have parents say I will not let my child have someone over when I am not home" said Morris.

Simms added, "I would like to hear parents say, 'I vote as a family not to serve alcohol. I want to be an active parent. If we host a party, that is what you can expect from us.'"