NCJ Number
128694
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (1990) Pages: 305-318
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article describes a study on sources of drug information for adolescents. It utilizes structured interviews with 223 adolescents from north central Idaho and southeastern Washington with both closed and open format questions to determine the sources and their effects on adolescent drug-using behavior.
Abstract
The interview strategy was to obtain information about credibility and utility of sources, effects of different messages content and delivery style, and perceptions of parents and teachers about effectiveness and accuracy of information sources. The main results of the study show that parents and teachers are trusted and credible sources of drug information; that medical, legal and religious persons are credible, but not visible sources; and that media and celebrity fears of parents are ungrounded regarding adolescent perception. Factual information from credible sources focusing on the negative impact of drug use can have a positive affect upon adolescents reported personal use of drugs.