NCJ Number
109863
Date Published
1986
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the findings of a survey of drug and alcohol use among 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students enrolled in public secondary schools in California.
Abstract
The survey involved 7,379 students in 87 California secondary schools (45 high schools and 42 junior high or intermediate schools). Respondents were limited to English-speaking students, and the ethnic distribution was American Indian (3 percent), Asian (10 percent), black (10 percent), Hispanic (20 percent), white (50 percent), and other (7 percent). The sample of schools was proportional, random, and stratified according to six regions of the State. The questionnaire inquired about the use of 17 psychoactive substances, including three forms of alcohol, marijuana, stimulant drugs, psychedelic drugs, narcotics, PCP, cigarettes, and the nonprescription use of controlled medical substances. Additional questions inquired about age of first use and intoxication, peer attitudes about regular drug or alcohol use, judgments about the harmfulness of regular alcohol and marijuana use, sources of knowledge about drugs, where students obtain drugs, reasons for using and not using drugs, and experience with five forms of alcohol/drug prevention education. 32 tables.