Lincoln is a suburban town that is rich in culture. Although primarily a residential bedroom community for metropolitan Providence, Lincoln possesses its share of several large business and
manufacturing establishments. The estimated family income is 13.9% higher than the Rhode Island median family income. It’s a close knit community, proud of its long standing history.
With a population of 21,709 people and four constituent neighborhoods, Lincoln is the 18th largest community in Rhode Island.
Lincoln is a decidedly white-collar town, with fully 85.42% of the workforce employed in white-collar jobs, well above the national average. Lincoln is a somewhat ethnically-diverse town. The people who call Lincoln home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Lincoln residents report their race to be White, followed by Asian. Important ancestries of people in Lincoln include Italian, French , French Canadian, and English. The most common language spoken in Lincoln is English.
The results of 2016 Rhode Island Student Survey (RISS) conducted in the Lincoln High School, shows significant access and acceptance of use of substances of abuse:
5.2% of Lincoln High School (LHS) students have smoked cigarettes
in the past 30 days, with the highest of regular users in the
11th grade.
20.8% of LHS students have used alcohol in the past 30 days, with
the highest use in the 12th grade of 36%.
An average of 20.2% of all LHS grades used Marijuana in the past
30 days, with 37.2% of 12th graders using marijuana in the
past 30 days.
Although students report using prescription drugs on a less frequent basis than tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, the use of prescription drugs by youth is still a significant concern in the Lincoln community. Only 60% of youth in high school saw the use of someone else’s prescriptions as a serious problem. Given the youth today and the tendency to self-diagnose and at times misrepresent their emotional state to fit in, it sheds some light on this issue.
The strategies and activities implemented include community education, information dissemination, alternative youth activities through the Above the Influence Program,Hidden in Plain Sight, Pick Your No's, monthly newsletter and prom/graduation speakers.
