NCJ Number
179822
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the evidence relevant to determinants of drug use and prevention for youth, both by international comparison and for specific subcultures within the United States.
Abstract
In considering factors that influence the onset of smoking, the focus is on those that are readily amenable to school and community interventions. Genetic variation in addiction potential, mental health status, variation in individual cognitive abilities, psychological status, academic achievement, and general health and physical characteristics, although potentially important as risk factors, may not be readily amenable to school and community interventions. Perceptions, memory, cognitive attributions, group influences, and skill acquisition may, on the other hand, be responsive to school and community interventions. Factors known to be associated with the onset of drug use in youth include environmental and social influences, such as association with peers who use drugs, parents who use drugs, sensation-seeking and risk-taking tendencies, and drug availability. Intra-individual variables can also be important, including physiological responses and perceptions of pleasure/displeasure associated with physiological changes. Escalation of drug use into addiction and dependence is influenced additionally by psychological factors. There is remarkable consistency over ethnic and cultural groupings in the social, environmental, and intra-individual influences on drug use. The major influences on early tobacco, alcohol, and drug use are social norms. These include perceptions about prevalence of use in the society and perceptions of social approval for use. This paper has sections on the importance of community norms, the influence of the media on community norms, and the establishment of community norms for the practice of drug prevention in schools. 1 figure and 25 references