Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)

PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SURVEY (PAYS)Since 1989, the Commonwealth has conducted a survey of school students in the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades to learn about their behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence. The Pennsylvania Youth Survey - or PAYS - is sponsored and conducted every two years by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

PAYS Myths Debunked!Myth #1
How many students take this survey? Not many, right?

Myth #2
The PAYS survey only asks about substance use (which doesn't affect my child)... so why is it so important that they participate?

Myth #3
Why should 6th graders be included in PAYS?

Myth #4
PAYS asks sensitive questions - how do we know it's really anonymous?

Myth #5
Won't asking these questions make my child more curious about substance use?

Myth #6
How do we know that students are really being truthful?

Myth #7
Is PAYS really a good use of taxpayer dollars?