Stonington — The Board of Education heard details Thursday night about a plan to survey students in grades six through 12 about their use of drugs and alcohol and involvement in issues such as dating violence.

The survey, which will be taken online and in school, is a cooperative effort between the town’s Human Services Department, the school system and the Southeastern Regional Action Council.

Because the last valid survey was done seven years ago, Human Services Director Leanne Theodore said the upcoming survey will offer baseline information for those working with youth. It is funded through a grant.

She said that since 2009 there have been changes in some of the issues facing teens, such as the dramatic rise in the abuse of opioids, prescription drugs and heroin.

She said the results of a survey done in 2013 were never reported because of low participation rates that raised questions about its validity and usefulness. Not many students participated because it was offered near the end of the school year and there was not time to fit testing into all students’ schedules.

Theodore said the new survey will help those working with local youth to determine the areas it needs to focus on and provide data to obtain grant funding for educational and other programs. Surveys will now be done every two to three years.

“We’re not doing this to highlight the bad things with our kids,” she said. “We’re trying to be proactive instead of just being reactive.”

The results of the survey will be presented at a community meeting later in the school year.

The survey asks students questions such as whether their family has clear rules about drug and alcohol use and gambling, how often they use drugs and alcohol, drink more than four drinks at a time and how they get alcohol. It also asks how easy it is for them to get various types of drugs and alcohol, how their parents would feel about them using alcohol and drugs and if they have ever used prescription drugs without a prescription or doctor’s instructions. It also asks if they have been a victim of dating violence, had suicidal thoughts, feel sad and hopeless for extended periods or have hurt themselves on purpose.

A parent can choose for their student not to participate in the survey.

In addition, a program called “Talking to Your Kids About Drugs” will be held Oct 25 at 6 p.m. for parents in area towns at the Mystic branch of the Ocean Community YMCA. There will be child care and refreshments. To register, call the Human Services Department at (860) 535-5015 or online at stonington.recdesk.com.

j.wojtas@theday.com