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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

    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. 

    Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)

    The Pennsylvania Youth Survey, or PAYS, is sponsored and conducted every two years by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The data gathered in PAYS serve two primary needs.

    1. The results provide school administrators, state agency directors, legislators and others with critical information concerning the changes in patterns of the use and abuse of these harmful substances and behaviors.
    2. The survey assesses risk factors that are related to these behaviors and the protective factors that help guard against them. This information allows community leaders to direct prevention resources to areas where they are likely to have the greatest impact.
    Questions about PAYS?

    Contact EPIS

    Can't find the information you need?

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    Looking for someone to provide a PAYS presentation?

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    PAYS Resources

    2023 PAYS Statewide Report (PDF) - State summary results from the 2023 PAYS survey in the same format as the local and county-level reports. 

    2023 PAYS Full Details Report (PDF) - This report provides more in-depth analysis of the 2023 State results, including breakdowns by gender for certain metrics.

    Highlights from the 2023 PAYS Report (PDF) - This report provides a snapshot of some of the information included in the State Report that can be used to take action at the state, county, school district, and local levels.

    2023 Rural Region Report (PDF)
    2023 Urban Region Report (PDF) -
    These reports provide the PAYS results for rural and urban communities in Pennsylvania.  PCCD is grateful for the assistance of the Department of Education and the Center for Rural Communities Legislative Staff in preparing this report.

    2021 PAYS Statewide Report (PDF) - State summary results from the 2021 PAYS survey in the same format as the local and county-level reports. 

    2021 PAYS Full Details Report (PDF) - This report provides more in-depth analysis of the 2021 State results, including breakdowns by gender for certain metrics.

    Highlights from the 2021 PAYS Report (PDF) - This report provides a snapshot of some of the information included in the State Report that can be used to take action at the state, county, school district, and local levels.

    Comparison of Data from our Rural and Urban School Districts (PDF) - This reports provides a comparison of the PAYS results for rural and urban communities in Pennsylvania.  PCCD is grateful for the assistance of the Department of Education and the Center for Rural Communities Legislative Staff in preparing this report.

    2019 PAYS Statewide Report (PDF) - State summary results from the 2019 PAYS survey in the same format as the local and county-level reports. 

    2019 PAYS Full Details Report (PDF) - This report provides more in-depth analysis of the 2019 State results, including breakdowns by gender for certain metrics.

    Highlights from the 2019 PAYS Report (PDF) - This report provides a snapshot of some of the information included in the State Report that can be used to take action at the state, county, school district, and local levels.

    ​​PAYS User Guide and Worksheet – This guide and accompanying worksheets can help you understand what your youth are saying and how to use that information to take action.

    PAYS Online Data Tool – This online tool allows you to conduct crosstab analyses at the county and state levels to look deeper into the interaction between PAYS data results. 

    PAYS Training Video

    PAYS 2025

    Information for PAYS 2025 Coming Soon! 

    PAYS Search

    Reports from years prior to 2023 will soon be available in the search hub below. If you are in immediate need of a report, please reach out to  Alise Barr