While mental health needs are increasing, the numbers show substance abuse among Midcoast students is not.

Melissa Fochesato, director of community health promotion at Mid Coast Hospital, works with schools in Sagadahoc County, Brunswick and Harpswell regarding youth mental health and substance abuse. She said a close eye is kept on substance abuse statistics reported by students in the Maine Integrated Youth Health Surveys undertaken every two years.

“Underage drinking and tobacco use and underage prescription drug use is decreasing,” she said, “and marijuana use is staying steady.” According to the surveys administered to students between 2011 and 2017:  Alcohol use has dropped from 29 percent to 21 percent (any use in the past 30 days)

 “Binge” alcohol use has dropped from 17 percent to 8 percent (five or more drinks at once in the past 30 days)

 Cigarette use has dropped from 17 percent to 8 percent

 Marijuana use has remained steady at 19 percent in 2017

Asked why substance abuse has dropped off, Fochesato said that is the $10 million question.

“I would argue that in Maine we have taken a community approach to substance abuse prevention,” she said.

In the schools

In Maine School Administrative District 75, Mt. Ararat High School’s school-based health center has resources for students dealing with substance abuse issues.

School nurse Ann Chang, who has been at the school for three years, is able to refer students that need it to a part-time drug and alcohol counselor.

“Of course, the need is often

greater than our ability to provide,” she said. “But there have been significant improvements even in the few years I’ve been here.”

Chang said one of the biggest challenges for providing extra resources, such as the health center, is funding.

“Another challenge that I face regularly is acknowledging and accepting that much is out of my control with the difficult personal situations that some students face,” she said. “I can do my best to support them when they are in my office, but I can’t put them in a bubble and sequester them from bullying, food insecurity, difficult family dynamics, temptations to use substances or engage in risky sexual behavior.”

Community approach to curbing abuse

The hospital supports a community coalition, Access Health, which has been around since 1998. Coalition members include representatives from law enforcement, schools, treatment providers, youth serving agencies and others who work together to prevent addiction.

Research has shown that decreasing underage substance abuse requires an increase in awareness that substance abuse is dangerous, decreasing access to substances and increasing kids’ belief that they’ll get caught.

“We’re learning a lot that people understand the dangers to the teenage brain and police departments are taking it seriously,” Fochesato said.

Due to retail store training, no Sagadahoc County stores were found selling alcohol to a minor during the most recent April compliance check.

Additionally, a parent “sync” campaign encourages them to set curfews, be up and ready, know their kids’ friends and parents, and check in often. Medication collection events and safe storage education have decreased access to prescription medications that could be abused.

And if a student is caught, Access Health offers a 12-hour class — Student Intervention and Reintegration Program — that empowers youth to make healthy decisions and reduce the risk for problems in the future.

• Monday: Introducing Health in Our Schools

• Tuesday: School Nurses on the Front Lines

• Wednesday: What is Midcoast Community Alliance?

• Thursday: Focusing on Mental Health

• Today: Handling Substance Abuse