NCJ Number
154155
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 225-233
Date Published
1994
Length
10 pages
Annotation
More than 2,600 students in grades 4 to 6 in 15 schools in western Canada took part in a survey conducted over a 1- year period ending June 30, 1992 to determine their perceptions and attitudes regarding drug use.
Abstract
The questionnaire gathered information on personal characteristics, general behaviors, friends' use of drugs, perceived health dangers associated with drug use, ease of obtaining drugs, plans to use drugs, and why children start to use drugs. The questionnaire covered a wide variety of drugs. The participants were mostly between ages 9 and 11, and 52 percent were males. Although the majority of students did not use drugs, the survey revealed that not all students were aware that drugs could be harmful to their health. They indicated that using drugs makes you look older, feel good, and get attention. Some felt that drugs might be used to be like their friends. Findings indicated that this age group of students are obviously very aware of drug issues and that it is essential that drug education begin at a very young age. Figures, author photographs and biographies, and 2 references