Wisconsin students smoke less, but 11 percent report opioid use

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Opioid abuse, a nationwide crisis, is reaching into Wisconsin’s high schools.

A total of 11.2 percent of the state’s high school students reported unauthorized use of prescription pain medicine, according to a 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

The study found rates of sexual activity, smoking, alcohol and marijuana use were all in decline, however.

On the other hand, students are sleeping less, are on their communication devices more, and are more likely to feel sad or hopeless to the point of considering and planning suicide.

Nearly 50 percent...