NCJ Number
166193
Date Published
1996
Length
30 pages
Annotation
The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study found that one in four children in grades 4 through 6 were offered drugs during the previous year and that the number of children aged 11 and 12 years who reported their friends used marijuana increased between 1993 and 1996.
Abstract
Children had different levels of awareness about specific drugs but made little distinction among drug risks; marijuana and cocaine were perceived to be equally dangerous. More than 8 of 10 children considered marijuana and cocaine to be dangerous drugs. Between 1993 and 1996, children became significantly more attracted to drug experimentation. A significant increase was observed in the number of black children who felt a person who would sell or give them drugs was not their friend. Hispanic children were more likely to worry that they might want to try drugs. White children were more likely to say that everyone occasionally tried drugs. Resistance skills of children declined in 1996, while awareness of and participation in antidrug programs remained steady. More children said marijuana, cocaine, and crack would be easy for them to obtain in 1996 than in previous years. The trial use of marijuana increased between 1995 and 1996, and the number of black children reporting inhalant abuse also increased. 23 tables