Educational Factors Influencing Adolescent Decision Making Regarding Use of Alcohol and Drugs

This study examined reasons for not using tobacco, alcohol, and various other substances by students in relation to the amount of self-reported use of these substances. A survey was given to 5,887 high school students in grades 6 through 12 in 26 school districts throughout Pennsylvania. Significant findings were reported for the importance of information and self-reported use of tobacco and beer; the importance of self-concept and self-reported use of tobacco, beer, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, and cocaine; the importance of recreational and alternative activities and self-reported use of tobacco, beer, and marijuana; the importance of school policy and self-reported use of beer, marijuana, and stimulants; and the importance of adults as models and self-reported use of tobacco, marijuana, and stimulants. In general non-users rated the decision-making variables as being more important in the decision-making process than users.