Miami Shores Parent Forum

May 26, 2010 - Informed Families and the Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce partnered to create a Community Needs Assessment for the Greater Miami Shores Community. Consisting of a SAMHSA-endorsed (U.S. Department of Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) survey measuring alcohol and drug use, violence, and other antisocial behaviors, the Needs Assessment has found many areas for improvement.

Based on the responses of the students surveyed, those attending middle and/or high-school at the following schools: Archbishop Curley High School, The Cushman School, Doctors Charter School, Horace Mann Middle School, Miami Country Day, and St. Rose of Lima School, the following conclusions were drawn, as highlighted by Miami Shores Community Coordinators Jim and Anne McCoy:

Alcohol Use

• The average age at first use of alcohol was 12.5 years-old.
• Those surveyed were asked to think of their four best friends, and tell how many of their best friends had tried alcohol in the past year without their parents’ knowledge. The survey noted a sharp climb from 8th to 11th grade, and noted that 7 of 10 students in 10th grade had friends who drank alcohol in the past year.
• 1/3 of all 10th graders admitted to consuming alcohol themselves, and almost 50% of 11th graders had consumed alcohol.
• In 8th and 9th grade, females were 20% more likely than males to have consumed alcohol.
• The survey found that 50% of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders rated access to alcohol as easy.

Marijuana Use

• The average age at first use of marijuana was 13.7 years-old.
• The children surveyed were asked to think of their four best friends, and tell how many of their best friends had tried marijuana in the past year without their parents’ knowledge. The survey found that 25% of students’ friends had tried marijuana within the past year.
• Shockingly, the survey found higher rates of availability for marijuana than alcohol, with 1/3 of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders rating access to marijuana as very easy.
• Overall marijuana use also signaled a need for improvement, as the survey recorded a tripling in experimental marijuana use from 9th to 10th grade. 25% of students had tried marijuana in 10th and 11th grade, and almost 1/3 of 12th graders had tried marijuana.

Youth Violence

• The survey asked students how many times they had attacked someone with the idea of hurting them in the past year. The rate was recorded at 7.7% in 11th grade, a low point, and 14.8% in 8th grade.

Parent Involvement

• The survey found that 75% to 80% of students agreed that it was important to be honest with their parents despite consequences of parental disappointment and punishment.

School Opportunities

• 92% of the children surveyed responded that there were many chances for pro-social involvement, or chances for sports, club, and school activity involvement outside of the classroom.

Community Perception

• When asked whether or not neighbors noticed when children were doing a good job and recognized them for a job well done, the children surveyed responded in the negative, with only 36% of middle-schoolers and 21% of high-schoolers being recognized for good behavior.

For the full report, click here.

To Get Involved, Contact Anne McCoy at anne@mccoyproperties.us