Waunakee presenters highlight youth substance use and mental‑health concerns from Dane County Youth Assessment

Tim Decora, the project coordinator for the coalition's school outreach, and student and school social‑work presenters told the Waunakee Community School District committee on Jan. 29 that the Dane County Youth Assessment (DCYA) data show measurable substance use and widespread mental‑health concerns among middle‑ and high‑school students.

The assessment found that 12% of high‑school students reported at least one drink within 30 days and that 9% reported nicotine or tobacco use in the past year; 7% reported vaping THC or cannabis products during the year. Presenters also said 17% of seniors and 9% of another senior subgroup reported lifetime e‑cigarette or vape use. On mental health, Jessica Hickey, a high‑school social worker, said the data show “1 in every 5 students” had felt so sad or hopeless for two weeks in a row that they stopped doing…