Perceptions of South Dakota adults concerning selected adolescent health problems

A telephone survey was conducted of a random sample of 1,015 South Dakota households to assess adults' perceptions of whether alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide attempts are problems in their community, and across the state, among seventh through twelfth grade adolescents. A majority of the respondents indicated that alcohol and drug abuse, and teen pregnancy are a problem for adolescents in their community and across the state. Regarding suicide attempts among adolescents, over a quarter of the respondents indicated that they are a problem in their community, and one half of the respondents indicated that they are a problem across the state. Alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide attempts are more likely to be reported as being a problem across the state than in the local community. Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that health education programs in schools can help prevent alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide attempts among seventh through twelfth graders.