As a result of an increase in high profile violent incidents involving adolescents, interest has been turned to an examination of the weapon carrying behavior of adolescents. In order to explore both the prevalence of weapon carrying among adolescents and any possible relation between weapon carrying and illegal drug use, the authors examined data from 1996, in which 3,121 students in Scotland completed self-report questionnaires. Results of statistical analyses revealed that both males and females who used illegal drugs were more likely to carry weapons than their non-drug using counterparts. Males tended to become increasingly heavily armed as the number of different illegal drugs used rose. Data also indicated that the carrying of bladed weapons was more prevalent among drug users than non-users. Future research should focus on why a substantial portion of young people in Scotland feel the need to carry a weapon. Preventative strategies should focus on the link between illegal drug use and involvement in violence. References