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Lloyd A. Goldsamt, PhD1, Julie O'Brien1, Michael C. Clatts, PhD1, and Laura B Silver, Psy D2. (1) Institute for International Research on Youth at Risk, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010, 212.845.4468, lloyd.goldsamt@ndri.org, (2) Psychological Services Center, Long Island University/CW Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548
This paper presents data on the social and environmental circumstances in which cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and club drugs are first used, as well as data on the initial acquisition of, and reaction to, these drugs. An anonymous survey was administered to 23,780 middle school students in NYC. Students included in these analyses reported having ever tried alcohol (40.3% of the sample), cigarettes (16.2%), marijuana (8.1%), and/or club drugs (4.1%). Lifetime prevalence rates for all drugs increased dramatically from 6th to 8th grade. Most students reported being with a friend their age or older when they first used cigarettes (65.6%), marijuana (76.2%), or club drugs (74.4%), and with a family member (76.2%) when they first tried alcohol. Alcohol was most often (50.2%) first tried at home. Cigarettes were typically first tried at home (23.0%) or on the street (30.4%), while for marijuana the street (27.0%) and a friend’s house (25.5%) were most common. Club drugs were primarily initiated in “other” settings (34.7%). At first use, alcohol was typically obtained from a family member (52.8%), while cigarettes, marijuana, and club drugs were most often bought by another person (35.7%, 52.8%, and 43.7% respectively). Feeling “high” was the typical reaction to first use of marijuana (66.4%) and club drugs (56.5%); feeling “happy” was the most common reaction to the first use of alcohol 37.5%). For cigarettes, common initial reactions were feeling “ashamed” (28.1%) and “sick” (28.0%). Understanding specific social and environmental circumstances of initiation may greatly assist the development of effective prevention measures.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to
Keywords: Drug Use, Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.