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Patterns of Psychoactive Substance Use Among Arab Secondary School Students in Israel

NCJ Number
224479
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 43 Issue: 11 Dated: 2008 Pages: 1489-1506
Author(s)
Faisal Azaiza; Meyrav Shoham; Rachel Bar-Hamburger; Khaled Abu-Asbeh
Date Published
2008
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined patterns and trends in the use of psychoactive substances among Arab secondary school students throughout Israel.
Abstract
Fourteen percent of the participants (n=2,944 Arab 7th-12th graders ranging in age from 12 to 18) reported having used tobacco in the past year, and 17 percent indicated that they had consumed some type of alcoholic beverage. The rate for all types of illegal use of psychoactive drugs was 12 percent. Approximately 8 percent reported using medications for nonmedical purposes; 6 percent used cannabis; and 9 percent used other illegal drugs. The rate of cigarette use among boys was 4.5 times higher than for girls, and the use of cannabis was approximately 5 times higher for boys. Higher levels of the use of medications among adolescents were found for fathers employed in high-status professions (academic and administrative). Those who reported low religiosity had consistently higher rates of substance use. The differences between the high-religiosity and medium-religiosity groups were small. There were similarities between this study’s findings and those of prior research on Israeli adolescents and Arab adolescents. The study, which was conducted in 2004, involved students from schools throughout Israel. Questionnaires solicited self-report information on the use of the following substances in the past year, month, and week: alcohol; tobacco products; and illegal drugs, including the nonmedical use of medications, cannabis, and other drugs such as methadone, opiates, LSD, ecstasy, and PCP. Data were also obtained on family variables, cognitive variables (attitudes, risk perception, and behavioral intentions), and personality variables. 55 references, appendix of 7 tables