NCJ Number
131850
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 527-541
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Decision making factors considered by Missouri high school students regarding alcohol and marijuana uses were examined together with students' perception of various drug prevention strategies.
Abstract
In a 143-item questionnaire, 1,777 students were asked to rate decision factors such as concerns about the impact of drug use on one's physical being, parental and social relationships, school performance, and causing injury to another person. Respondents who reported no drug use in the preceding year cited a greater number of decision-making factors and endorsed more interventive strategies as effective in deterrence of personal drug use than students with some level of prior drug involvement. Concern about injuring another person was the most commonly cited decision factor for both non drug users and alcohol and marijuana users. For all levels of student drug involvement, the majority of respondents endorsed preventive efforts focusing on the personal costs of drug use which provided information on harmful physical effects of substance abuse and personal stories of former addicts. The importance of subgroup analyses is emphasized for future programmatic design and implementation. 27 references (Author abstract modified.