Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Survey Introduction
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Welcome to the Youth Voices Count Survey. Our company is conducting the survey to
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help community leaders learn about youth experiences and feelings regarding
substance use, depression, anxiety, social media, gaming and gambling.
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This is your chance to be heard. Information from this survey will be used to help
your community enhance its youth services and activities.
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This survey is confidential. An outside company receives the data. There are no
names or IP addresses collected. The company cannot connect your answers to who
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you are. No one in your school and community will see any individual responses to
the survey. Below is an example of how the data looks when the company receives it.
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Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts about these important youth
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issues in your community.
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Questions About You
1. What grade are you in now?
6
7
8
9
10
11
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12
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2. What is your biological sex, the sex you were assigned at birth?
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Female
Male
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3. What is your gender identity?
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Male
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Female
Non-binary
N
Transgender male
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Transgender female
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I am not sure right now
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4. Which of the following best describes you?
Heterosexual (straight)
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Gay or Lesbian
Bisexual or Pansexual
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I describe myself some other way
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I am not sure right now
I do not know what this question is asking
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Ethnicity and Race
5. How do you describe yourself (Select all that apply)?
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic/Latino
Middle Eastern or North African
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
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White
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ist
D
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024) N
Questions About You
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6. What kind of grades do you mostly get? (Select all that apply)
A's
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B's
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C's
D's
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F's
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Screen time
7. How old were you when you FIRST had your own?
Age
Smartphone or
iPhone
Social media account
8. On an average school day, about how many hours do you spend.........
11 or more
None 1-2 hours 3-4 hours 5-7 hours 8-10 hours hours
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On the internet
overall (i.e. "screen
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time"), including
messaging, social
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media, gaming,
watching videos,
shows or movies (not
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including use for
school work)?
On social media
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specifically?
Gaming specifically?
ot
N
o
D
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Electronic/Online Gaming
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The next question is about video games, electronic or online gaming. This refers to
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games you can play on any electronic device. Examples of these games include, but
are not limited to, Fortnite, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Roblox, Call of Duty, and
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mobile gaming apps.
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9. In the past 12 months, have you experienced any of the following as a result of playing
video games:
No Yes
I did not get enough sleep
I did not complete my homework or study
I chose not to spend time in person with
friends because I preferred to play video
games
I got into a verbal or physical fight
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I felt more connected with others
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I earned credibility with my peers for how
well I played
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I have been asked personal information by a
stranger (ex. name, town you live, age etc.)
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I was threatened by another gamer
I heard or saw things my parents/guardians
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would think is inappropriate
I have purchased loot boxes or skins (ex.
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microtransactions or pay-to-win)
I have had a hard time stopping
N
I have had people tell me they are
concerned about how much time I spend
o
gaming
D
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Social Media
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The next question is about your experience with social media. Social media refers to
any website or app that people use to share information, ideas, personal messages,
and other content such as images or videos.
10. In the past 12 months, have you experienced any of the following as a result of social
media:
No Yes
I chose not to or missed an opportunity to
spend time in person with friends because I
preferred to be on social media
I got into a verbal or physical fight
I felt more connected with others
I felt left out or excluded
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I felt BETTER about myself
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I felt WORSE about myself
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I felt unsafe because of something said to
me on social media
I heard or saw something my
ist
parents/guardians would think is
inappropriate
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I have had a hard time stopping (ex.
scrolling, checking, refreshing)
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N
o
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Emotional Health
11. In the past year, have you ever felt very anxious, nervous, tense, scared, panicked or like
something bad was going to happen?
Never
Some of the time
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Almost always
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Always
rib
ist
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
ot
N
Emotional Health
o
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12. How frequently do these feelings of anxiety or nervousness affect or make things difficult
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for you in your school work, relationships or other areas in your life?
Never
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Some of the time
Almost Always
en
Always
id
nf
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13. How much stress, anxiety or worry do the following give you in your day-to-day life?
None Low Medium High
Home/family life
My family having
enough money to
have needs met (ex.
food, housing,
clothing, heat, hot
water)
Academics (i.e.
homework, tests,
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studying, grades)
ut
College or post high
school planning
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Schedule (i.e.
Athletics, extra
curricular activities,
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volunteering, work)
Peers (ex. fitting in,
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having friends)
Social media
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N
o
D
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Emotional Health and Circumstances
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14. In the past 12 months, have you ever experienced any of the following:
No Yes
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I have had thoughts about hurting myself
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I have hurt myself on purpose
I have had an intimate partner (someone
you were dating or going out with) hit, slap,
or physically hurt me on purpose
I have felt like I have no one to talk to, felt
left out and/or felt lonely often
I have felt sad or hopeless for 2 OR MORE
WEEKS IN A ROW so much that it stopped
me from doing my usual activities
15. In the past 12 months, have you considered attempting suicide?
No
Yes
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Checking on Suicide
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16. When you considered attempting suicide in the past year did you....
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No Yes
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make a plan?
attempt it?
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talk to a friend about
it?
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talk to a parent or
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another trusted
adult about it?
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know where to get
help?
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get help?
feel like you had no
one to support you?
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For resources on suicide or other mental health concerns, during school hours
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contact a trusted adult at school, your school counselor or school nurse. You
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can call, text or chat with 9-8-8 the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7, for
free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis
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resources for you or your loved ones in the United States.
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Perception of Access to Substances
17. If you wanted to, how easy would it be for you to get the following?
Very Hard Sort of Hard Sort of Easy Very Easy
Vape or E-cigarette
device containing
Nicotine
Nicotine in an oral
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pouch (Zyn, On! etc.)
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Cigarettes/Other
tobacco products
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(e.g. chewing or pipe
tobacco, cigars,
snuff, Snus)
ist
Alcohol such as beer,
wine, hard liquor,
alcoholic seltzers,
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wine coolers etc,
more than just a sip,
not for religious
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activities
Marijuana/THC-this
N
includes all methods
of use-vape, smoking
it, edibles, inhaling it
o
through other
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methods (not
including CBD)
Prescription drugs-
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for the purpose of
"getting high" or to
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feel good, but not for
medical purposes
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id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Perception of Family Substance Use
18. Has anyone in your family (such as a parent/guardian, brother or sister, not including you)
ever used alcohol, drugs or gambled so that it created problems at home, at work, or with
friends? Examples of problems may include physical or verbal fights or financial problems.
No Yes I don't know
Alcohol
Prescription Drugs
Marijuana/THC
Heroin/Fentanyl
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Other Drugs
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Gambled (ex. sport
betting, lottery,
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scratch-off tickets,
online bets, poker
etc.)
ist
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ot
N
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Perception of Family Rules
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19. Please choose how true this statement is for you:
My family has clear rules or expectations discouraging me from the following:
Yes No Not sure
Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco
Vaping NICOTINE products from E-
cigarettes
Using NICOTINE in an oral pouch such
such as Zyn or On!
Drinking alcoholic beverages
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Using marijuana/THC (including smoking,
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vaping, edibles etc)
Using a prescription drug that is not
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prescribed to you, for the purpose of
"getting high"
Gambling, money or possessions, on an
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activity with uncertain outcomes (e.g.,
sports bets, online bets, lottery, poker,
scratch-off tickets)
D
Excessive or inappropriate use of the
Internet or a smartphone
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N
o
D
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Reasons for Not Using Substances
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nf
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20. What are the top reasons that you might choose not to use the following substances?
Alcohol (beer, wine, hard
liquor, alcoholic seltzers
etc.) Vapes with Nicotine Marijuana/THC
I am not of legal age
I don't approve of it;
it's against my
values, culture or
religion
My friends don't
approve of it
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I am afraid of the
ut
consquences if I get
caught by my
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parent/guardian
I am afraid of the
consequences if I get
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caught by school
administrators,
teachers, school
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security or my coach
I am afraid of the
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consequences if I get
caught by the police
N
I don't want to lose
control of myself
o
It might interfere
with my school work
D
It might affect my
physical health or
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mental health
It's bad for the
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environment
I don't know how to
get it
en
id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Perceptions of Use
21. How much do you think people risk harming themselves physically or in other ways
(emotionally, financially, etc.) when they do the following:
Moderate
No Risk Slight Risk Risk Great Risk
Smoke cigarettes, 1 or more packs a day?
Use Nicotine products through Vape/E-cigarettes (ex.
JUUL, Puff Bar, ELF BAR etc.) on a daily basis?
Drink 5 or more alcoholic beverages (beer, wine or
liquor), once or twice a week?
Use marijuana, hashish or THC products 1 or 2 times a
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week?
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Use prescription drugs that are not prescribed to
them?
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Gamble something of value (money or possessions) on
an uncertain outcome once a week or more?
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Play electronic/online games for more than 3 hours per
day, most days?
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N
o
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Perceptions of Use
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22. How wrong do your parents/guardians feel it would be for you to do the following:
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Not at all Slightly Moderately Greatly
Wrong Wrong Wrong Wrong
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Smoke cigarettes?
Use Nicotine products through Vape/E-Cigarettes (ex. JUUL, Puff
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Bar, ELF BAR etc.)?
Drink 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or liquor) nearly
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every day?
Use marijuana, hashish or THC products?
Use prescription drugs not prescribed to you?
Gamble something of value (money or possessions) on an
uncertain outcome?
Play electronic/online games for more than 3 hours per day?
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Perceptions of Use
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23. How wrong do your friends feel it would be for you to do the following:
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Not at all Slightly Moderately Greatly
Wrong Wrong Wrong Wrong
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Smoke cigarettes?
Use Nicotine products through Vape/E-Cigarettes (such as JUUL,
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Puff Bar, ELF BAR etc.)?
Drink 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or liquor) nearly
every day?
Use marijuana, hashish or THC products?
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N
Use prescription drugs not prescribed to you?
Gamble something of value (money or possessions) on an
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uncertain outcome?
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Play electronic or online games for more than 3 hours per day?
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en
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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24. About how many of the youth in your school do you think have used the following
substances in the past month?
None Very Few Some Most Almost All
Alcohol-beer, wine,
spiked seltzers, hard
liquor etc.
Marijuana/THC
Vape Products with
Nicotine
Nicotine in an oral
e
pouch auch as Zyn
ut
or On!
Prescription drugs
rib
for the purpose of
"getting high"
ist
D
ot
N
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Use and Participation
25. Select the items below you have used in your lifetime. (Select all that apply)
Cigarettes
Nicotine in a Vape or E-cigarette device (JUUL, Puff Bar, ELF BAR etc.)
Nicotine in an oral pouch (Zyn, On!)
Other tobacco products (e.g., chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigars, snuff, Snus)
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Alcohol such as beer, wine, hard liquor, alcoholic seltzers, wine coolers etc, more than just a sip, not for
ut
religious activities
Marijuana/THC-this includes all methods of use-vape, smoking it, edibles, inhaling it through other
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methods (not including CBD)
Prescription drugs-for the purpose of "getting high" or to feel good, but not for medical purposes
ist
Over-the-counter medications such as cough or allergy medicine for the purpose of "getting high" or
to feel good, not for medical purposes
D
Gambling products such as, scratch-off/lottery tickets, dice (for gambling), sports betting apps or online
betting sites, poker games etc.
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I have not used any of these
N
o
D
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Age of First Use
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id
nf
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26. Think back over your entire lifetime. What was your age (in years) when you FIRST used
the substances below?
Age of first use
Cigarettes
Nicotine in a vape or
E-cigarette device
(JUUL, Puff Bar, ELF
BAR etc.)
Nicotine in an oral
pouch such as Zyn or
On!
e
Alcohol such as beer,
ut
wine, hard liquor,
alcoholic seltzers,
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wine coolers, etc.,
more than just a sip
not for religious
activities
ist
Marijuana/THC
includes all methods
D
of use, vape, smoking
it, edibles, inhaling it
through other
ot
methods
Prescription drugs for
the purpose of
N
"getting high" or to
feel good, not for
o
medical purposes
D
Over-the-counter
medications such as
for cough or allergy,
to "get high," not for
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medical purposes
Gambling products
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such as scratch-
off/lottery tickets,
sports betting apps or
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online betting sites,
dice (for gambling)
poker games etc.
id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Frequency of Use
27. Think back over the past 30 days: On how many days, if any, did you use the following?
I have used
before, but NOT
I have NEVER in the past 30 Occasionally (1-5 Frequently (6-20 Almost every day
used. days. days) days) (21+ days)
Cigarettes
Nicotine in a vape or
E-cigarette device
(JUUL, Puff Bar, ELF
BAR etc.)
Nicotine in an oral
e
pouch (Zyn, On! etc.)
ut
Other tobacco
products (e.g.,
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chewing tobacco,
pipe tobacco, cigars,
snuff, Snus)
ist
28. Think back over the past 30 days: On how many days, if any, did you use the following?
D
I have used
before, but NOT
I have NEVER in the past 30 Occasionally (1-5 Frequently (6-20 Almost every day
Alcohol such as beer,
used. days.
ot
days) days) (21+ days)
N
wine, hard liquor,
alcoholic seltzers,
wine coolers etc,
o
more than just a sip,
D
not for religious
activities
Alcohol- 4 or more
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alcoholic beverages
(beer, wine, hard
tia
liquor, alcoholic
seltzers, wine
coolers etc) on a
en
single occasion
id
nf
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29. Think back over the past 30 days: On how many days, if any, did you use the following?
I have used
before, but NOT
I have NEVER in the past 30 Occasionally (1-5 Frequently (6-20 Almost every day
used. days. days) days) (21+ days)
Marijuana/THC-this
includes all methods
of use-vape, smoking
it, edibles, inhaling it
through other
methods (not
including CBD)
e
Prescription drugs-
ut
for the purpose of
"getting high" or to
rib
feel good, but not for
medical purposes
Over-the-counter
ist
medications for
cough or allergy to
"get high," not for
D
medical purposes
Gambling products
such as scratch-off
/lottery tickets,
sports betting apps
ot
N
or online betting
sites, dice (for
gambling), poker
o
games etc.
D
l-
tia
en
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
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Use of Marijuana and THC Products
nf
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30. If you have used marijuana or THC products in the past year, please select the ways you
have most often used it.
Smoked or inhaled (e.g. joint, bong, bowl, dabbed, waxed etc.)
Eaten edibles (e.g. baked goods, gummies, or other candy that contain marijuana or THC in them)
In a vape
I have not used marijuana or THC in the past year
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Substance Access
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31. For the substances below, please indicate WHERE YOU most often GET THEM?
rib
I have never
accessed
ist
this At home At my home
substance- WITHOUT WITH Purchased
not parents/guardians parents/guardians on the Store, Bar or
D
applicable permission permission Friends/Peers Internet Restaurant
Cigarettes or
other tobacco
ot
products (Snus,
pipe tobacco,
cigars)
N
Nicotine for use in
a vape or E-
o
cigarette device
D
(JUUL, Puff Bar,
ELF BAR etc.)
Alcohol such as
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beer, wine, hard
liquor, alcoholic
tia
seltzers, wine
coolers etc, more
than just a sip, not
en
for religious
activities
Marijuana/THC-
id
this includes all
methods of use-
nf
vape, smoking it,
edibles, inhaling it
through other
Co
methods (not
including CBD)
Prescription
drugs-for the
purpose of
"getting high" or
to feel good, but
not for medical
purposes
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Use at School
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32. For the substances below, please indicate if you have ever used in school, on school
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property or at a school sponsored event including sporting events, field trips and dances.
I have never used this
ist
substance-not applicable Yes No
Nicotine in a vape or
E-cigarette device
D
(JUUL, Puff Bar, ELF
BAR etc.)
ot
Nicotine in an oral
pouch (Zyn, On! etc.)
N
Alcohol such as beer,
wine, hard liquor,
alcoholic seltzers,
o
wine coolers etc.
D
Marijuana/THC-this
includes all methods
of use-vape, smoking
l-
it, edibles, inhaling it
through other
tia
methods (not
including CBD)
en
id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Where Substances Are Used
33. For the substances below, please indicate WHERE, if ever, you used MOST OFTEN.
I have With In the
never used friends at woods, at
this my home the park,
substance- At home with my or my beach, or
not At home, parent(s)/guardian friends' on the
applicable alone present home street In a car At a party
Nicotine in a vape
or E-cigarette
device (JUUL, Puff
Bar, ELF BAR etc.)
Alcohol such as
e
beer, wine, hard
ut
liquor, alcoholic
seltzers, wine
rib
coolers etc, more
than just a sip, not
for religious
activities
ist
Marijuana/THC-this
includes all
D
methods of use-
vape, smoking it,
edibles, inhaling it
ot
through other
methods (not
including CBD)
N
Prescription drugs-
for the purpose of
o
"getting high" or to
D
feel good, but not
for medical
purposes
l-
tia
en
id
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
nf
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Reduced Use or Quitting Alcohol and Other Drugs
34. Have you ever......
Alcohol (beer, No-I use one or
wine, hard more of these
liquor, but I don't want
alcoholic Vapes with to reduce my None of this
seltzers etc.) Nicotine Marijuana/THC use or quit applies to me
tried to reduce your
use of.......
tried to quit or stop
using....
felt frustrated
e
because you wanted
ut
to reduce or stop
using but you
couldn't....
rib
ist
D
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024) ot
N
Intoxicated Driving
o
D
35. Have you driven a car, truck, ATV or motorcycle when you had been drinking alcohol or
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using marijuana/THC?
tia
Not Applicable -
(I have never
driven a car,
en
truck, ATV or Yes at least Yes at least
motorcycle once in the last once in the past
before) No 30 days 12 months
id
After drinking ALCOHOL
nf
After using MARIJUANA/THC
Co
36. Have you been a passenger in a car, truck, ATV or motorcycle when a driver, age 20 or
younger, had been drinking alcohol or using marijuana/THC?
Yes at least Yes at least
once in the last once in the past
Not Sure No 30 days 12 months
After the driver was drinking ALCOHOL
After the driver used MARIJUANA/THC
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Use of Other Substances
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37. Have you EVER used any of these drugs?
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YES, But NOT in the YES, In the
NO, Never past 30 days past 30 days
ist
Inhalants (things you sniff or inhale to get
high such as glue, paint, whippets, or
sprays)
D
Kratom
ot
Cocaine/crack cocaine (rock)
Ecstasy or Molly (MDMA)
N
Hallucinogens (LSD, acid or mushrooms,
PCP or Angel Dust) including microdosing
o
Heroin/Fentanyl
D
Ketamine (Special K)
Methamphetamine (Meth)
l-
Synthetic marijuana (Spice, K2, K3, Delta-8)
tia
Bath Salts (Ivorywave, Red Dove)
en
id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Comfort with Seeking Help
38. Please indicate if you would seek help from the sources below if you had a problem in
your life.
No Maybe Yes
Parent/guardian
Friends
School staff-teacher, counselor, social
worker, nurse etc.
Coach
A trusted adult besides my parent/guardian
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or school staff
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ist
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Family and Community Support ot
N
o
D
39. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following statements:
Agree Disagree
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I have at least one adult in my life that I can share my
thoughts and feelings with
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I feel safe in my community
I feel safe at school
en
I know how to get help for myself or my peers for
mental health or substance use problems at my school
id
nf
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Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Toxic Stress
40. Have you ever experienced discrimination, meaning you were made to feel inferior or
excluded because of your....
Yes, but not in the past 12
No months Yes, in the past 12 months
race or ethnicity?
gender or sexual
orientation?
religion or culture?
learning differences
or disability?
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ut
41. Have you ever directly seen or heard violence (ex.physical assault or other violent
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actions).....
Yes, but not in the past 12
No months Yes, in the past 12 months
ist
in your
neighborhood or
community?
D
at school?
ot
42. Have you ever been a victim of violence (ex.physical assault or other violent actions).....
N
Yes, but not in the past 12
No months Yes, in the past 12 months
o
in your
neighborhood or
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community?
at school?
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43. Have you ever.....
tia
Yes, but not in the past 12
No months Yes, in the past 12 months
en
had problems with
housing? (ex. being
id
homeless, moving
more than two times
in a 6 months, been
nf
at risk of eviction or
foreclose, had to live
Co
with friends or
family because
a parent/guardian
could not afford
housing.)
worried that your
family did not have
enough food to eat
or that food would
run out before you,
your
parent/caregiver
could buy more?
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Sleep
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44. On a typical school night (Sunday-Thursday), how many hours do you usually sleep?
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1-2 hours
3-5 hours
ist
6 hours
D
7 hours
8 hours
9 or more hours
ot
N
o
D
l-
tia
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
en
id
nf
Co
Colchester, CT Youth Voices Count Survey (v2024)
Final Thoughts
e
ut
This is the last question! Thank you for your participation in the Youth Voices Count Survey. The
rib
information you generously provided will help inform programs that support youth in your community.
If the survey brought up any uncomfortable feelings or questions please talk to your school counselor,
ist
social worker a teacher or another supportive adult. Outside of school hours you can reach Infoline by
calling 2-1-1 or chat via https://www.211ct.org/
D
45. Would you like to see a presentation or report on the outcomes of this survey when it is
available?
Yes-I love data
ot
Yes-with a little enthusiasm
N
I am not sure or kinda indifferent
o
No, thank you
D
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tia
en
id
nf
Co