Drug Use and Achievement

Abstract

The relationship between lowered achievement and nonmedical use of drugs has become a concern as drug use increases. Two hundred sixty-six young males, some of whom were marihuana smokers, and some of whom used other drugs also, were interviewed about their levels of achievement and drug use. It was found that lowered levels of achievement were associated with higher rates of drug experience for both marihuana and other psychedelic drugs. Goal setting varied as a function of the decision to use drugs or not, rather than amount of drugs used. These two findings, taken together, suggest that observed lowered achievement is not the result primarily of a change in values, but of perhaps several factors which are discussed.