Partnership sends out survey

The Partnership of Community Resources has mailed out surveys to a random sampling of Douglas County adults to gauge community attitudes on teen pregnancy, substance abuse and underage drinking.

The confidential results will assist the partnership in planning prevention efforts, said Cheryl Bricker, executive director.

"We're sending surveys to every 19th voter in all our ZIP codes," Bricker said. "We hope to get 450 respondents."

The survey asks for personal information such as drinking patterns, whether respondents used marijuana or other tobacco products and at what age.

The questionnaire also asks whether children are pressured to drink or use drugs and tobacco.

Participants are asked to indicate race, gender, age range and ZIP code, but they remain anonymous, Bricker said.

There's a section for parents with children still at home to offer perspectives on their children's activities and the level of family communication.

Bricker said the partnership tries to survey adults every three years.

"The community survey gives us an idea at the grass-roots level of what people think versus reality," Bricker said.

She said survey results are factored into what grant applications and programs the partnership uses.

Bricker requested that the surveys, mailed out with self-addressed stamped envelopes, be returned within a week.

Surveys also can be faxed to the partnership at 782-4216 or dropped off at the office at 1528 Highway 395, Suite 100, Gardnerville.

Bricker said residents 18 or older who would like to complete the survey could pick up a copy at the partnership office.