Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey?

The Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey(MYDAUS/YTS) is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Its purpose is to assess the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drug and related anti-social behaviors among Maine students in grades 6 through 12. The MYDAUS also measures the risk and protective factors found in the student's social environment which influence his/her decision whether or not to engage in these prohibited behaviors.

When were questions from the Youth Tobacco Survey included in the MYDAUS?

In 2004, the MYDAUS and the Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) were merged to lessen the burden that multiple surveys pose for schools. So that the combined survey could still be completed in one class period, questions were dropped from both of the original surveys.

How often is the MYDAUS/YTS offered?

Since 2000, the MYDAUS(YTS) has been offered on even numbered years, usually in February before spring break. The next administration of the MYDAUS/YTS will be in 2008.

What schools are eligible to participate in the MYDAUS/YTS?

Public schools with students in any of grades 6 through 12 may participate in the MYDAUS/YTS. Private, non-sectarian schools with 60% or more publicly-funded students are also eligible.

How long does the survey take?

The survey is designed to take one class period, approximately 45 minutes.

How do I know that the final reports are based on surveys that are answered truthfully?

First of all, the MYDAUS/YTS protocol and reporting conventions are designed to protect student confidentiality. For instance, on the day of the survey, monitors are asked to remain at the front of the room and completed surveys are placed in envelopes that are then sealed. The MYDAUS/YTS does not ask for the students’ names or birthdays, and reporting by racial or ethnic group is strictly limited; data are not reported on schools or individual grades when fewer than 20 students participated in the survey.

Secondly, an “honesty profile” is run against the database before the data are released. This includes checking for substance use that is impossibly high. Statewide, about 4% of the surveys are excluded because they are considered untruthful.

How can my school district use the MYDAUS/YTS results?

Schools and districts participating in the MYDAUS/YTS have access to individual web-based school and district reports if they have 20 or more students participating (this 20-student limit was initiated to protect student confidentiality). County, Regional and State reports are also available for comparison. The data from these reports can be used for planning and evaluating substance abuse and violence prevention programs, and can be used as baseline data for Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act applications and other grant proposals. OSA recommends that once "trouble spots" are identified, schools focus their resources in these areas using science-based prevention programs.

What is required of schools wishing to participate in the MYDAUS/YTS?

To participate in the MYDAUS/YTS, a school must be willing to:

provide a contact who will coordinate the administration of the survey; preferably someone who will be directly using the data, such as a counselor or a health educator
offer the survey to all of their eligible students
incur the expense of mailing back the completed surveys

MYDAUS Administrations Information:

2006 MYDAUS/YTS
2004 MYDAUS/YTS
2002 MYDAUS
2000 MYDAUS
1998/1999 MYDAUS
1996 MYDAUS

Your questions and comments are welcomed.
Contact Melanie Lanctot

Note: all documents on the OSA web in .pdf format are available in printed format upon request: osa.ircosa@maine.gov

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