Almost half of Morton East students rink alcohol, survey says.
In a random survey of 109 Morton East students, 35 said they only drink alcohol, and another 12 said they drink and smoke marijuana. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.6 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 in the United States reported drinking alcohol in the past month.
“I was 18 years old during college when I first started drinking. It was definitely fun, but I do believe it was a young age to start drinking alcohol,” a Morton East High School social worker said.
According to the same survey, 18 percent of Morton East students smoke marijuana.
“I’ve been smoking marijuana since I was in middle school. It helps me feel relaxed and escape from stress. I also do it as a way to have more fun with my friends and feel at ease,” a Morton East student said.
Interestingly, 24 of the 109 students surveyed said that they didn’t drink or smoke, but their parents drank alcohol.
“I drink often after a long day at work. It helps me feel relaxed and take my mind off things that stress me out. I always try to keep it under control, and it gives me time to recharge before I start doing what I need to do around the house,” one Morton East student’s parent said.
Of course, not all parents drink.
“I don’t drink at all. Growing up, it never caught my attention, and I just don’t like the idea of drinking,” another Morton East student’s parent said.
Many adults have seen others under the influence, and it doesn’t look pretty.
“It was like watching a toddler trying to walk for the first time, except with more falling and less dignity,” said another Morton East student’s parent.
