Drug Use and Sources of Drug Information in a 12–16-year-old School Sample

Abstract

A sample of 532 12–16-year-old school attendees self-completed a questionnaire about drug use, sources of drug information and attitudes to drugs. Some drugs were highly prevalent, particularly cannabis, hallucinogens (including ecstasy) and amphetamines, but injectable drugs were used by few and injected by only seven respondents. Cocaine use continues to be rare in Scotland. Use increased with age and males tended to use more than females. Low parental control was strongly related to exposure to drugs. Most respondents had received at least one talk about drugs, about half felt that they knew a lot about them and over a third felt that they had learned a lot from TV, parents, police, older friends, same age friends, teachers and newspapers. Those who had been more exposed to drugs tended to rely less on teachers and the police for information and more on older friends and siblings. Parents, siblings, medical and media sources were unrelated to drug exposure. Self-rated drug knowledge and attitudes were more related to exposure to drugs than to sources of drug information, suggesting that attitudes are largely acquired experientially. Results are discussed with respect to the content and delivery of drugs education.