NCJ Number
194562
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 329-342
Date Published
2001
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed nationally representative data from the 1998 National Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey to determine the prevalence of substance use on school property among alternative high school students in the United States, to describe the characteristics of such students, and to examine the interrelationships of substance-use behaviors.
Abstract
The target population consisted of 1,390 secondary schools in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. To enable separate analysis of data for Black and Hispanic students, schools with substantial numbers of Black and Hispanic students were sampled at higher rates than all other schools. A total of 8,918 students completed the questionnaires in 115 schools. The questionnaire contained 88 multiple-choice questions. Students were queried about substance use on school property within the past 30 days, including the smoking of cigarettes, the chewing of tobacco, the drinking of alcohol, and the use of marijuana. Students who engaged in these behaviors at least one time during the 30 days preceding the survey were considered current users. The survey findings showed that during the 30 days preceding the survey, nearly 48 percent of students used at least one substance on school property, and 17 percent used more than one substance on school property. Males were more likely than females to have used substances on school property, and white students were more likely than Black or Hispanic students to have used substances on school property. The results of this and other studies suggest that school administrators, public health practitioners, and policymakers should work to improve strategies for reducing substance use in this heterogeneous, hard-to-reach population. 3 tables and 23 references