For a number of years the association between drug use and violent behavior has been recognized. This report focuses on the interaction of these two variables in rural communities. A survey was conducted in several counties of Kentucky in 1999. The instrument was carefully designed by an expert panel and had internal reliability(Chronbach's alpha) of 0.94. The instrument had items on drug use, violence, associated risk and protective factors, and demographic characteristics. The instrument was administered in four school systems to all grade 6-12 students present (n=4348). Variables included bringing weapons to school, physical fighting, reasons for carrying weapons, feelings of safety at school, and all the major drugs of abuse. Analysis includes comparisons to the national PRIDE Survey, which also reports associations between drug use and violence. Recommendations for education and prevention programs are identified and discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the completion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the magnitude of the interaction between student violence and drug use; 2. Identify national data regarding associations between student violence and drug use; 3. Discuss implications for school-based prevention and education programs
Keywords: Violence Prevention, Drug Abuse
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.