New Survey Says 1 in 2 PHS Seniors Smoke Pot; 70 Percent Drink Alcohol

A new survey on substance abuse, presented recently to the Portsmouth School Committee, shows nearly 50% of Portsmouth High School seniors have admitted to smoking marijuana and more than 70% of senior boys have admitted drinking alcohol underage. 

The report, prepared by the John Mattson Consulting for the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition (PPC), shows the highest use of marijuana in schools to be among senior males at Portsmouth High School at approximately 50 percent. 

According to the survey results, more than 70 percent of PHS senior males and 65 percent of PHS senior females admitted they drank alcohol. 

More than 50 percent of respondents said they obtained marijuana from a friend. More than 30 percent of respondents also claimed they obtained alcohol at a party or by paying someone. 

The entire report is published on the Portsmouth School District Web site.

To view the entire report and results, click here or view the pdf attached at right. 

The 42-question "Health and Wellness" substance abuse survey was administered to students at the Portsmouth Middle School and the Portsmouth High School, resulting in more than 1,200 completed surveys returned. 

What do you think about the results? Tell us in the comment section below.