'Do something' study reveals teen attitudes toward civic responsibility. (Community Service).

A recent study, funded by the Levi Strauss Foundation, polled 1,238 seventh through twelfth graders across the U.S. regarding issues and concerns that were most important to them in terms of civic engagement. Seventy-two percent of the respondents stated drunken driving was a priority. Depression and teen suicide were also common concerns. The participants also rated topics such as guns at school, improving schools/education, discrimination, school violence, and drugs as top societal problems. Homelessness, the environment, peer pressure, gangs, and eating disorders were ranked as lower priorities. Equal numbers of respondents listed "lack of time, laziness, and not knowing what to do," as popular obstacles to their own community involvement.

Do Something is an organization based in New York that promotes civic engagement. With additional funding from The Levi Strauss Foundation, Do Something will offer $2,500 grants to selected youth to help inspire community projects. The organization will use the study's findings as a basis for the campaign, which is designed to "inspire, fund, and mobilize young people to take positive action in their communities."

Visit www.dosomething.org for more information. To obtain a copy of the study, send an e-mail request to [e-mail].