More than 77,000 students in grades 6, 8 and 11 attending Iowa public and private schools took part in the 2014 Iowa Youth Survey. The survey includes questions about behaviors, attitudes and beliefs, as well as perceptions of peer, family, school, neighborhood and community environments.
The good news is that substance abuse and bullying have decreased since 2012, with the most notable decrease seen in alcohol use among high school students. A new question added for the 2014 survey asked about the use of e-cigarettes during the past 30 days. The reported usage rates of e-cigarettes were 3 percent of 6th graders, 4 percent of 8th graders, and 11 percent of 11th graders.
To view the full report, visit www.iowayouthsurvey.iowa.gov/images/2014_State/IYS_2014_State_Report.pdf.