NCJ Number
149690
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This executive summary of a 1993 Pennsylvania survey report presents data on student attitudes and behaviors regarding alcohol and other drugs.
Abstract
Using a stratified random sample of school districts and intermediate schools, 41,632 public and nonpublic students in grades 6, 7, 9, and 12 were surveyed. The survey instrument, Primary Prevention Awareness, Attitude, and Usage Scales, has been used since 1979 by more than 1.5 million students and continues to show excellent reliability and validity. The survey included questions about students' willingness to use major substances (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, and cigarettes) and frequency of use of those substances, as well as use of hallucinogens, "ice," designer drugs, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter substances. Students were also asked about the factors that are important in their decisionmaking, where they use those substances, sources for obtaining them, the frequency of their participation in extracurricular and community activities, and to whom they would turn for help with a drug problem. The report also provides comparisons of 1993 survey data with data from the 1989 and 1991 surveys. Survey findings show that alcohol abuse is declining among school- aged youth. Student attitudes about school, their teachers, and subjects have steadily improved since 1989. The majority of students do not abuse alcohol or other drugs. On the other hand, the willingness to use and the abuse of tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, cocaine, hallucinogens, stimulants, and steroids increased between 1991 and 1993. There were also reports of carrying weapons and fighting by students who were also abusing drugs. The survey shows as well that no school or community in Pennsylvania is immune from drug and alcohol abuse. The data reported represent statewide averages for the sample. 16 figures