NCJ Number
171035
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (1997) Pages: 55-73
Date Published
1997
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examines the rate of alcohol and drug abuse among male and female adolescents in public housing communities and identifies risk factors leading to alcohol and drug abuse.
Abstract
The study interviewed 123 adolescents by means of the modified children's Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism. Twelve percent fell within the group categorized as alcohol abusers and 15 percent as drug abusers. No gender difference in alcohol or drug abuse was found to be statistically significant. A logistic regression showed poor academic performance as a risk factor for alcohol abuse to be statistically significant (Wald Statistic = 5.67,p <0.05), while being in a special group with high achievers was negatively related to alcohol abuse (Wald Statistic = 6.77,p <0.01). Also, age (Wald Statistic = 4.16,p <0.0001) and alcohol abuse (Wald Statistic = 20.40,p<0.0001) were found to be significantly positive predictors of drug abuse, meaning drug abuse increases as alcohol use and age increase. Tables, references, appendixes