The Nature and Extent of Drug Use among Students at a Comprehensive Suburban High School

This study is of particular significance for curriculum development in drug education. While describing the nature and extent of drug use among a sampling of high school students, and identifying variables which predict drug use, the study also offers a valuable method of determining the appropriate grade level placement of drug prevention and intervention strategies within the school curricula. The sample consisted of 455 students attending a comprehensive, multi-ethnic-economic, suburban high school. The data indicated the lowest incidence of drug use was among freshmen, with a 72 per cent increase among sophomores, and only significant change in mode of use and not amount among upperclassmen.