Mercer Island middle-school students drink, smoke and use drugs less than the national norm. Once they hit high school, however, the figures jump significantly over the norm, according to a local study.

Dr. Suniya Luthar, a Columbia University professor, presented her findings last Monday at Mercer Island High School as part of Community Preparedness Week.

Luthar had spoken here in October, 2005, on “The Culture of Affluence: Psychological Costs of Material Wealth.” At that time, she was invited to conduct research by Mercer Island Communities that Care, a community coalition aimed at promoting the well-being of youth in Mercer Island.

Luthar has been studying the risk factors of substance abuse in youth for 10 years and has found that statistics for affluent neighborhoods exceeded those in inner-city communities. She realized there was an unrecognized need to further these studies. A two-year Department of Health grant to the Island funded the initiative to help reduce underage drinking and drug use, and framed it in ways that would make sense in Mercer Island.

“The news here is that Mercer Island is one of just two affluent communities that have chosen to address these issues directly, said Cindy Goodwin, director of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services.

“There is nothing new in these findings, she said. “Mercer Island mirrors other similar communities in the amount of teen drinking and other risky behaviors. The difference is that we are taking this on and are working to figure out what will work best in our community.”

Luthar surveyed middle and high school youth in Mercer Island, with an 85 percent participation rate. The results reflected previous studies she has done. The patterns of problems seemed to be the same regarding affluent youth and substance abuse.

Middle school substance abuse, including the use of alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, proved to be below the national norm, but there was a significantly greater jump once students reached high school. Her study also showed that girls are more likely to internalize problems, such as depression, anxiety and somatic problems.

Luthar offered several explanations for her findings.

“Some parents know about their children’s substance abuse. The consequences aren’t really there,” she said.

Added pressures, such as AP classes, college applications and image factors, are all reasons why youth turn to drugs, alcohol or other inappropriate behavior.

She described some protective factors associated with low substance abuse that could be solutions to the problem. Those included close parent-child relationships, perceived consequences for substance abuse, high parental involvement, and for girls, fewer negative interactions with closest friends.

So why is substance abuse such an evident problem in affluent communities where there is all the education and resources one could possibly need?

“There is something about the culture of privilege in affluent communities that makes substance abuse bigger,” said Luthar.

“My heart sinks sometimes. We really have little to no control of what goes on with them. It hurts to talk about this stuff,” she added.

“I’m surprised the findings weren’t higher,” said Mercer Island senior Zz Quinn. “There is just a bitterness of being forced into a certain mold in Mercer Island. It’s definitely not something I have seen being a problem in other places.”

Tedesko said they “have been looking at data and looking at ways to address this issue … The amazing thing about the Mercer Island community is the willingness to be proactive, collect and analyze data to approach the situation head on.”

“We have to tackle this at all levels,” said Luthar. “Communities like Mercer Island are becoming serious about this issue and are taking action. We are just starting.

Erica Metzler is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.