Please Follow us on Gab, Minds, Telegram, Rumble, Gettr, Truth Social, Twitter
Since 2021, Greenwich teens in grades 7 to 12 have been administered an anonymous yet intrusive survey from Greenwich Together about numerous aspects of their personal lives, as well as substance use and other risky behaviors.
The survey was administered in the public schools yesterday, though parents had an opportunity to opt their children out.
The questions started off simple enough, but quickly became very personal.
Students were asked if parents or guardians had established clear rules discouraging them from gambling, sexting, video gaming, social media, drinking, smoking, vaping, using marijuana, and/or using prescription drugs to get high.
They were asked to reveal parental attitudes on underage drinking and drug use, and if parents locked the liquor cabinet.
They were asked to essentially evaluate their parents on whether they were doing a good job.
And of course, what survey would be complete without asking a student about their gender?
Students were asked detailed questions about how they, their parents and their friends feel about drinking, smoking and drug use. They were asked how much they use each of these substances, where they used them, and how the substances were obtained, including if their parents hooked them up.
Students were asked if they have ever tried any of a long list of drugs -- remember, this survey was administered to students from 7th - 12th grade, so for some students, this might have been their introduction to these drugs.
One question almost seemed to be a dare -- it asked students how hard it would be for them to get a hold of alcohol, marijuana, vaping devices, cigarettes, prescription drugs and drug equipment and supplies.
Another question asked what influenced them to drink, prompting them with answers like boredom, curiosity, to feel better, because it tastes good, to have fun and so forth. They were asked about factors that would stop them from drinking, like strict parents, being on medication, because they haven't had the opportunity, etc.
Students were asked about their participation in illegal behaviors, such as drunk driving, being drunk or high at school, gambling, stealing, selling drugs and such.
They were even asked if they ever drank until they blacked out, played competitive drinking games or "greened out" from using too much marijuana.
There was a short parent survey, too, with similar questions about attitudes on alcohol and drug use, gambling, sexting, video gaming and social media.
Interestingly, the parent survey question on gender listed just three options (male, female and something else) whereas the youth survey primed children to consider whether they were non-binary, transgender female, transgender male or not sure right now.
Parents were asked if they feel "confident" talking with their children about social justice issues (e.g., racial bias, LGBTQ, women's rights).
Parents were also asked if their own children use drugs and alcohol, if their own children have driven drunk, if they provided booze to their own or other children, and how easy it is for children to access drugs and alcohol inside the home.
Wow, that's a helluva community survey, huh?
Betcha all the kiddos and parents answered those questions truthfully, right?
If you are interested in being part of the conversation, the survey results will be presented on May 12, 2025, at Greenwich Town Hall from 9am - 10:30am.
