Sometimes they play basketball. Or they listen to music, eat pizza, study, volunteer at a local hospital — whatever they have to do, they say, to keep away from drugs.

Teens involved in an anti-marijuana program at Mt. Hope High School recently recorded and this week released an anti-drug video, “Seventeen things to do other than drugs.” The video, produced by Justin Ursini with financial help from the Warren Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, was published Tuesday on YouTube and features teenagers talking and rapping about staying clean and drug-free.

Colleen Powers, who runs Mt. Hope’s anti-marijuana program via a Warren Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition grant, said the video was a fun way for the kids to spread a positive message about making healthy choices. Some of her students have used or been around drugs in the past, and opted into the program upon their arrival at Mt. Hope.

“They’ve got a lot to say,” she said. “A lot of them are struggling; with family issues, grades, social problems. They’re trying to make the right choices.”

Straight talk from teens

The video comes on the heels of a recent Mt. Hope focus group that turned up what she said are “alarming” facts about marijuana, alcohol and other drug use among teens in Bristol and Warren.

Twenty-eight students participated in the focus group held this spring, which was also sponsored by the prevention coalition. Students were asked how hard it is to get drugs and alcohol, how often they or others they know use them, and how many kids at the school get high on a regular basis.

Though many of the students who took part in the focus group have personal experience with drugs or alcohol and thus might be expected to yield a skewed answer, Ms. Powers said the results do not surprise her and speak of a wider problem. The students’ comments echoed what she’s been hearing for years: Substance abuse is everywhere.

“There’s a lot of it,” she said. “I think we have a major problem, and I don’t think enough is being done.”

Ann Marie Roy, who heads the Warren coalition, said the focus group was held shortly after a Mt. Hope High School student died of a suspected heroin overdose earlier this year.

“They wanted to talk, so we came in and did (the focus group),” she said. “They wanted to talk to somebody about it. She was not in the class, but some of the kids knew her.”

Ms. Roy hopes to have a community forum on marijuana use this October, and will use the results of the recent focus group as the basis for discussion.

Following are some of the questions and answers posed to students in the recent focus group:

Do you think Mt. Hope students smoke marijuana?

“Kids will drink anything they get their hands on.”

“A lot of people are smoking weed. Some need it to function; others just do it for fun or social reasons. More kids smoke weed every day, sometimes three and four times a day. Probably 50 percent of those who smoke weed will some every day. More like 70 to 80 percent are smoking weed.”

What about heroin or other opioids?

“There was a group of kids in the high school last year who supposedly used opioids including heroin. Kids claim that there was no one doing it this year.”

How old are students when they start abusing?

“Most kids start drinking in ninth grade. Kids who try younger often have older brothers and sisters who are using alcohol. It is happening younger — starting more in middle school.”

“Weed is a lot bigger than alcohol. More kids are dispensing weed; selling it to others who are younger. Some kids buy it and will give it to younger ones so that they can sell it.”

How often do students use?

“Weed is the biggest thing around. People smoke whenever they get a chance. Some do it to help them concentrate in school. Some do it to relieve stress. Many do it to be accepted in a certain group. Others shared that they knew parents who smoked and would do it in front of their kids or with their kids.

How are kids getting drugs? Alcohol?

“Fake IDs are very accessible. Some people look older. It helps who you know; having older friends. Lots of people will buy for you. For $150 you can rent a car service that will get alcohol for you.

“You can find weed anywhere. Lots of people are selling it. Some people know others with Medical Marijuana cards. Many people just grow it for themselves and do not have any cards.”

Where do kids use?

“Everywhere and anywhere. Many parents don’t really care. On the bike path, in the bathrooms in school, in the park, in cars.”

What could prevention coalitions do to keep students from using?

“Be involved with the students. Get more teachers and adults to pay attention.”

“Kids fear authority figures; it gets their attention.”

“Educate us.”

“More things to do, for those not into sports, looking for free activities in town.”