Frequently Asked Questions About The Power of Choice Project

Q: Don't all students just lie on those surveys?

A: No.

• The Center for Prevention Research and Development builds questions into the survey to test to see if someone is lying. The main indicator for an honest survey is consistency. For example, the same question is asked in a variety of different ways on the survey. If the computer finds the answers are not consistent, the survey is discarded and shredded. This has happened with very few surveys.
• Four different classes in District 203 and 204 have tested the results. Sociology, Advanced Math, and Statistics classes have completed projects aimed at uncovering the truth. Each project found that the same percentage, or more, students are not using tobacco and alcohol.
• We now have data points from 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The data is consistent with each year.
• The project is utilizing the best science available

Q: The percentages are the average of everyone - so what if you just looked at seniors?

A: Good question! U of I CPRD gave us grade level specific data. The truth is that the majority of students from each grade level (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors) do not smoke and have not consumed alcohol in the last 30 days.

Q: Which of the schools drinks/smokes the most?

A: The percentages of students who don't use and use are very similar in each of the District 203 & 204 high schools.  The difference is not considered to be statistically significant.

Q: Is any of this even working?

A: It absolutely is.  Our goal is to get accurate information out to students so they are better informed.  Here are just a few of the successes as found by the April 2005 Youth Survey:

• Statistically significant shift in perception regarding the number of peers who use, and how often they are using.
• Students perceive that less of their peers are using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana and that those who do use these substances are using less often.

Survey highlights of statistical significance from 2003-2007:

• The reported mean of perceived peer cigarette use decreased
• The reported mean of perceived alcohol use decreased.
• The reported mean of perceived marijuana use decreased.
• Past year cigarette use decreased 3.4%
• Past year alcohol use decreased 3%
• Increase in the number of students reporting "never" smoking cigarettes.
• Increase in the number of students reporting "never" drinking alcohol.

Q: Sure, 66% have not had alcohol in the past month. That means that 34% have been using. Isn't it wrong to ignore the ones who ARE doing it?

A:Absolutely. We're not ignoring the fact that there are some high school students who are drinking. Our mission is to let everyone know that those students are in the minority and that everybody is NOT doing it. Those that are drinking need to be given care and also given consequences for their actions. However, our goal is to share the reality of what is really happening and that the majority of students who have chosen not to drink.  Most students are making healthy choices most of the time.

Q: I have an idea for a Power of Choice poster. How do I submit it?

A: Email to Ian Shaw -ian@ncoyouth.org