NCJ Number
166192
Date Published
1996
Length
35 pages
Annotation
The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study found that the number of teenagers in grades 7 through 12 who perceived marijuana as a risk varied and that attitudes toward illegal drugs in general remained at the same levels in 1995 and 1996.
Abstract
Although antidrug attitudes did not erode between 1995 and 1996, perceived benefits of drug use continued to increase during this time period. Significantly more teenagers in 1996 than in 1995 agreed that drugs were fun, that being high felt good, that drugs helped them relax socially, and that drugs helped them forget their troubles. Marijuana use in low income areas, which increased most rapidly between 1993 and 1995, began to decline in 1996. About 54 percent of teenagers said they had been offered drugs in 1996, compared to 52 percent in 1995 and 46 percent in 1993. Levels of awareness of risk in trying cocaine and crack were stable between 1993 and 1996. There was no significant change over time in the perceived availability of cocaine and crack. Exposure to and use of LSD increased between 1993 and 1995, and the perceived prevalence of heroin increased in 1995 and 1996. Schools were the most important source of information about drugs. Virtually all parents thought it was important to talk to their children about drugs. Although many parents accepted responsibility for drug education, many felt frustrated in their efforts. 25 tables