Study: 56% of Guam high schoolers drink alcohol

In a survey conducted in 2017 regarding youth usage of alcohol and marijuana, about 56% of high school students reported that they drink alcohol, while about 29% of middle school students reported their first taste of it before the age of 11.

The state epidemiological workgroup has also reported that 50% of youth have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime while 33% reported usage within the past 30 days. It goes without saying that much has changed since the 2017 survey.

Maolek na Lina'la, a program under the nonprofit organization, Westcare Pacific Islands, Inc., is studying the community's perception on the use of alcohol and marijuana in Guam's youth.

"There's not a lot of data out there and so a portion of our program is geared towards that and trying to find out more information see what information we can gather what data we can gather and then see how we can fill those needs within our community," she said.

Maolek na Lina'la also delivers direct services such as youth prevention, parent outreach, and providing assistance to the community through schools, securing resources, assessments, and service referrals to programs that support youths and families affected by alcohol and marijuana use. The program aims at filling the gaps in services in the community to cater to those in need.

"I kind of feel like they're asking for help we see a lot of things going on within the community you know we see on the one side of things the rehabilitation side we see that portion and how you know services are lacking through that side so kind of just bring all that information together," she continued.

A survey was sent to almost all GovGuam agencies, all schools, village mayors, the legislature, private businesses, and non-profit organizations in Guam to gather the community's perception on use of marijuana and alcohol amongst the island's youth. The survey is just one of the steps needed to drive to program's needs assessment.