Psychoactive Drug Use in a Midwestern High School: Extent of Current Use and Future Trends

Abstract

In light of recent evidence that the use of psychoactive drugs is decreasing among college students, a comprehensive drug use questionnaire was administered to a sample of 110 Midwestern high school students to determine whether or not a similar trend was evident among this younger group of drug users. Results indicated that alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana were the only substances used by a sizable proportion of respondents, and were used more frequently and over a longer period of time than any other drug. In addition, the overwhelming majority of the users of these substances reported that they intended to continue using them in the future. In contrast, all other drugs (e.g., LSD, barbiturates, amphetamines) were used by a relatively small proportion of respondents and typically in an “experimental” fashion; i.e., used on only one or two occasions with no intention for future use. The relationship of various demographic, psychological, and sociocultural variables to drug use were also examined. Drug use was found to be significantly related to age, class level. religious preference, and the percentage of friends reported to be drug users. It was concluded that drug use does appear to be decreasing, at least among this sample of high school students. The implications of these findings for policy decisions concerning drug use are discussed.