NCJ Number
224027
Date Published
August 2008
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings of the 13th annual “back-to-school survey” from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) tracking the attitudes of teens and parents in an attempt to identify factors that influence the likelihood of teen substance abuse.
Abstract
Problem parents are those who fail to take appropriate action in four key areas: (1) monitoring their children’s school night activities; (2) safeguarding prescription drugs in the home; (3) addressing the problem of drugs in school; and (4) setting a good example. The survey results show that too many of the parents are missing the very parenting opportunities, noted above, that can help them raise their children to make healthy decisions. When asked how long it would take to get marijuana, 42 percent of teens stated that they could get the drug in a day or less, 23 percent in an hour or less. This reflects a 35 percent increase over last year in the percentage of teens who can get marijuana in an hour or less and a 14 percent increase in the percentage of teens that can get it in a day or less. For the first time, more surveyed teens stated that prescription drugs were easier to buy than beer, increasing 46 percent over last year. In examining teen alcohol preferences, one-third of those teens who have ever had a drink say they like the taste of alcohol, 29 percent prefer liquor mixed with a cola or something sweet, more boys than girls prefer beer and more girls than boys prefer wine, and overall, 16 percent of the teens agree with the statement; “Parties are more fun when there is alcohol available.” The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) has been surveying public opinion on substance abuse over 14 years, and continues an analysis aimed at revealing factors that contribute to teens’ risk of smoking, drinking, and using drugs. The survey conducted by telephone in the United States in the spring of 2008 consisted of 1,002 teens (ages 12 to 17) and 312 parent interviews. Figures, tables, and appendixes A-F