Core Measures Data
DFC coalitions are required to collect and submit new core measures data at least every 2 years.11 DFC
coalitions provide new core measures data in their progress report once data collection is complete.
This report focuses on findings regarding the current DFC core measures, which were revised in
2012.
Briefly, the core measures are defined as follows:
Past 30-Day Prevalence of Use/Non-Use: The percentage of survey respondents who reported using
alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana (prevalence of use) or misusing prescription drugs at least once within
the past 30 days (prevalence of misuse). Given the focus of DFC is on prevention, past 30-day
prevalence data are primarily reported here as prevalence of non-use (non-misuse). That is, the data
reflects the percentage of youth who did not report use (misuse) of the substance in the prior 30 days.
Perception of Risk: The percentage of survey respondents who perceived that use of a given
substance has moderate risk or great risk. Perceived risk of alcohol use is associated with five or more
drinks of an alcoholic beverage (i.e., beer, wine, or liquor) once or twice a week (binge drinking of
alcohol). Perceived risk of tobacco use is associated with smoking one or more packs of cigarettes a day.
Perceived risk of marijuana use is associated with using marijuana once or twice a week. The
perception of risk of prescription drugs core measure is associated with any use of prescription drugs
not prescribed to the user (misuse).
Perception of Parental Disapproval: The percentage of survey respondents who perceived their
parents would feel that regular use of alcohol (one or two drinks nearly every day) or engaging in any use
of tobacco, marijuana, or misuse of prescription drugs is wrong or very wrong.
