NCJ Number
166524
Journal
Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 35-45
Date Published
1996
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the findings of a survey to determine whether the variables most commonly used by researchers to explain or predict drug use in Caucasian and African American youth would be effective with a Mexican American Majority/Border Area youth sample.
Abstract
A substance use survey consisting of 272 items was given to 436 students ranging in grades from 4th to 12th in a Southwestern United States school district. Unique features of this district include a student body that is 86 percent Mexican American and the proximity to the Mexican border. The strongest predictors of drug use for this sample were: age of first use of drugs, close friends who use drugs, current use of drugs, and disciplinary school problems. Eighth-grade students were significantly more likely to seek a school counselor for help with drug use than 10th- or 12th-grade students. The State predictors that were not included in this study's findings were: availability, perceived danger, and parents' attitudes. The national predictors that do not match this study's findings were: grades or scholastic ratings and perceived danger. Figure, tables, references