PRIDE Survey Statistics

Each spring statistics are gathered from 6-12th grade students in the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County school systems. The instrument used for this data collection is the PRIDE survey. The survey measures the incidents and prevalence, age of onset, perception of social disapproval of drug use and violence by youth in schools and communities. PRIDE surveys have been field tested in university settings to insure reliability and validity. Results of the local PRIDE surveys can be reviewed with state and national PRIDE survey results for comparisons.

Based on survey data from Pre and Post Tests, the students in West Alabama increased in knowledge of substance abuse and addiction at a rate of 13% in one semester of classes with PRIDE of Tuscaloosa! 

Based on pride survey data...
  • The average age of first use of tobacco is 11.5, alcohol is 11.3 and marijuana is 12.2
  • The monthly use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other illicit drugs in Tuscaloosa is higher than the state and national average
  • 44.3% percent of students report that their teachers seldom or never talk with them about the problems of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use
  • 33.6 percent of students report that their teachers seldom or never talk with them about the problems of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use
  • 22 percent of high school students have thought about  committing suicide
  • 30 percent of middle school students have been called names, made fun of and/or teased in a hurtful way on a consistent basis this year at school
  • 50.5 percent of middle school students have had a student threaten to hit, slap or kick them
  • 10 percent of high school students say they have bought or sold drugs at school, while 17.8 percent say they have bought or sold drugs while not at school
  • 37.7 percent of 12th grade students have had 5 more more glasses of alcohol within a few hours (binge drinking)
  • 40 percent of 12th grade students use alcohol on a monthly basis
  • 20.5 percent of 12th grade students have driven a car after drinking alcohol in the past 30 days
  • The monthly use of alcohol by 12th grade students in Tuscaloosa is higher than the national average
  • 30.2 percent of 12th grade students have ridden in a car with someone who has been drinking alcohol in the past 30 days
  • 56.5 percent of 12th grade students use alcohol at their own home or a friend's home
  • 63.6 percent of 12th grade students say alcohol is fairly or very easy to get
  • 75.3 percent of 12th grade students feel their friends believe using alcohol is only a little wrong or not at all wrong   

High Drug Availability - Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are ranked 2nd greatest drug threat; heroin ranked 3rd. 
  • Ages 18-25: opioid use disorder in AL - 2.9%, higher than Region 4 average (1.4%) and the national average (1.3%)
  • Ages 18-25: illicit drug use disorder in AL - 8.1% higher than Region 4 average and national average (both 7.2%)
  • Ages 18-25: Misuse of Prescription Pain Relievers in Alabama - 7.88%.
  • Ages 18-25: illicit drug use in AL - 2.9%, higher than Region 4 average (1.4%) and the national average (1.3%)
  • ALL: changes in Opioid Treatment Program Enrollments in AL - increased by 21.3% from 2016 (6,132) to 2017 (7,441)
ONDCP (Drug Alcohol Control Update):
7.59% of Alabamians reporting using illicit drugs; national average was 8.82%.
3.19% of Alabamians reporting using an illicit drug other that marijuana; national average was 3.33%.
Alabama's drug-induced death rate was 12.2 per 100,000 in population, lower than the national rate of 12.9 per 100,000.