A report of schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs showed a large number of students engaging in behaviors that put them at risk for premature death and disability.

For example, over 80 percent of students had used alcohol at least once in their lifetime, while nearly 49 percent currently still use alcohol. And 38 percent of students said they engaging in heavy drinking.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Office of Indian Education last week released the results of a survey known as Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System that was completed in 2001.

The survey measures the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among adolescents through representative school-based surveys conducted at the national, state, and local levels and among certain populations.

In Montana, BIA funds two schools, according to a spokesperson at the BIA's education office in Billings. The Blackfeet Boarding Dormitory, located on the Blackfeet Reservation, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal School in Busby, Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Two Eagle River School in Pablo, Flathead Reservation, is funded by a BIA region based out of Portland, Ore.

Over 5,600 questionnaires were completed out of 8,500 students from 66 eligible BIA-funded schools. The BIA-funded schools are located on 63 reservations in 23 states. There are 185 schools with approximately 50,000 students from grades K-12.

Nearly 87 percent of the students reported a lifetime usage of cigarettes, meaning usage at least once. More than 56 percent reported current usage of cigarettes, while 24 percent said they frequently use cigarettes.

Results also showed an increase of substance and alcohol abuse by grade level and a higher rate of current drug usage and heavy drinking among males.

Nearly half of female respondents showed current marijuana use, while one-fifth reported a lifetime usage of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Reporter Shawn White Wolf can be reached at 447-4028 or shawn.whitewolf@helenair.com