NCJ Number
152679
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1994) Pages: 69-88
Date Published
1994
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Data assessing the extent of drug and alcohol use among 4-H members were collected in 1990 from youths in a three-county area of rural, northeastern Nevada; results were compared to the Nevada School Survey (NSS) conducted in local schools by the State Department of Education.
Abstract
The alcohol and drug needs assessment survey was administered at 4-H club meetings to 255 respondents; 51 percent were female, 87 percent were in grades 4 through 9, most ranged in age from 9 to 15 years, and 97 percent were white. The survey instrument contained questions on drug and alcohol use, as well as questions on drug and alcohol education. Questions were also designed to determine where 4-H members obtained their information about substances and to determine what additional educational programs they believed were needed. The 4-H survey did not attempt to duplicate the NSS, although questions related to alcohol and drugs were kept identical for comparative purposes. No statistically significant differences were found between 4-H member drug and alcohol use and students in the NSS; 70 percent of 4-H members said that 4-H had made a difference in their attitudes toward drug and alcohol use. Yet, school was the most reported source of current information about drugs and alcohol. Both the 4-H survey and the NSS indicated low, self- reported drug use among youth. Alcohol was the drug of choice for both groups, and both 4-H members and NSS respondents perceived high levels of alcohol use among other youths in the community. Recommendations for 4-H programs wanting to implement drug education programs are offered. 26 references and 10 tables