In grades eight and 11, the use of tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, cigarettes and cigars, has decreased since the last survey in 2002-2003. The survey also revealed that the use of alcohol has continued to decline.
Unfortunately, West Virginia continues to have a greater usage rate than the national average in 2003 and 2005 for tobacco and alcohol.
Weekends are when the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs are most used. Even though schools are not in session during the weekends, schools continue to be held responsible for student use. In fact, schools were the least likely place for students to use tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
In 1998 a federal law designated Pride Surveys as an official measurement of adolescent drug use in America. More than six million students in 8,000 school districts have responded to Pride Surveys.