NCJ Number
166027
Date Published
1983
Length
58 pages
Annotation
A fall 1982 survey gathered information on Maryland adolescents' knowledge and attitudes regarding drugs; the data were collected as part of a larger survey on juvenile drug use in Maryland.
Abstract
The research used a sampling plan similar to the one used in 1978 and 1980 and gathered information from 18 of the State's 24 subdivisions. The survey was self-administered in large group settings in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. Results were used to develop statewide estimates. Results revealed that technical and street knowledge increases with age, although street knowledge increases more dramatically with age than does technical drug knowledge. In addition, Maryland adolescents appeared more knowledgeable about the general effects of drugs than about the long-term consequences of frequent drug use. Moreover, adolescents who reported using drugs were more knowledgeable about drugs than were nonusers. Furthermore, a greater percentage of late adolescents than early adolescents perceived drugs, except for marijuana, to be dangerous. Nonusers also perceived drugs as more dangerous than did users. Tables, footnotes, and appended survey instrument and weighting information for each jurisdiction