NCJ Number
137935
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 147-153
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Australian secondary students from three year levels were asked to rate the dangers involved in alcohol, tobacco, inhalant, marijuana, and other illicit drug use, and these ratings were then factor analyzed for each year level.
Abstract
A total of 2,028 year 7 students, 1,970 year 9 students, and 1,684 year 11 students were surveyed. Data were obtained by self-administered questionnaires containing multiple choice questions. Questionnaires included 15 statements describing different types of drug use, and respondents indicated how much danger they associated with each prescribed use. Response categories were not dangerous, a little dangerous, very dangerous, and do not know. Results showed a more refined discrimination among older students, with type of drug and frequency of use being important considerations. Familiarity was a major consideration for younger students. The consistency of finding a factor pertaining to casual alcohol and tobacco use at each year level probably reflected predominant drug use patterns of the broader community. Dangers involved with drug use were discerned in a more precise way as students got older. Among intermediate and senior students, further distinctions were made between marijuana use, the experimental use of other illegal drugs, and the regular use of other substances. The study provided some support for drug use following a sequence from alcohol and tobacco to marijuana and then other illicit drugs. 9 references and 1 table