Sharon P. Brown, PhD(c), MN, MPH, Environmental Health Sciences & Policy - Public Health & Epidemiology, University of California-Irvine, School of Social Ecology, Irvine, CA 92697, 520.297.2424, spbrown@uci.edu

Past epidemiological surveillance efforts in youth tobacco and substance use trends have traditionally involved survey data collected from high school aged youth. A few studies have inquired about middle school aged students intentions to use these products; but, very few have focused on the intentions and perceptions of risk associated with this use by younger elementary students. This session will focus on the findings from longitudinal surveys conducted with elementary students as young as 8-9 years of age, as well as early middle school students, in an attempt to describe their perceptions of risk associated with substance use, and associated individual and environmental risk predictive characteristics. Changes in the individual students’ intention to use various substances from one grade level to another, as well as their actual stated use patterns will be described. Findings will also be presented in terms of policy recommendations for future preventive efforts to enable advocates to develop the most effective and efficacious curricula with dwindling prevention dollars.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify the ages of children in elementary & early middle school that have been successfully evaluated for their intentions to use or actual use of tobacco & other substances;
• List at least three "at risk" individual and/or environmental characteristics that have been identified as predictive of future substance use in these age groups

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.