NCJ Number
212754
Date Published
June 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study examined drug use patterns among Maryland students and identified indicators for youth at risk for multiple drug use.
Abstract
The Maryland Adolescent Survey (MAS) has been conducted by the Maryland State Department of Education since 1973 to track the drug use trends of its students. Data from the 2002 MAS were used to examine the prevalence of multiple drug use, the combinations of drugs most often used, and the possible indicators of multiple drug use among students. Almost 34,000 students in the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades completed the 2002 survey. The findings suggested that approximately 69,000 8th, 10th, and 12th graders had ever tried 2 or more drugs during 2002. The most commonly used substances included alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana; most students used these three drugs exclusively. Approximately 24 percent of students had used less common substances; these students were likely to have used 5.5 different drugs. Researchers concluded that youths who abuse any drug other than alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana should be identified as high risk for multiple drug use and should be appropriately screened and monitored. Tables, figures, footnotes