Alcohol and Drug Problems in the Schools: Results of a National Survey of School Administrators

• NCJ Number: 113840
• Journal: Journal of Studies on Alcohol Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 299-305
• Author(s): J M Moskowitz; R Jones
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This mail survey of public high school administrators across the United States found that the prevalence of schools with serious drug problems had declined considerably from 1980 to 1985.

Abstract

Of the 728 schools selected for the national metropolitan probability sample, 543 or 75 percent returned completed questionnaires. The results showed that student drug use was more problematic than alcohol use before and during school, whereas both alcohol and drug use were problematic after school. Analyses also revealed that, from 1980 to 1985, about one in six students attended schools that reported serious problems with student alcohol use. The proportion of students attending schools with a serious drug problem decreased from about one in four in 1980-81 to about one in seven in 1984-85. The most common explanation given for decreases in student alcohol or drug use was changes in the school's discipline policy or increased enforcement of existing policy. Few respondents believed the decline was due to prevention or treatment programs. Limitations of the data and recommendations for future research are discussed. Tables and 18 references. (Author abstract modified)