Patterns of Drug Use among Mexican-American Potential School Dropouts

Abstract

The following is a study of drug use, knowledge, and attitudes of drugs among a small sample of Mexican-American students in a large metropolitan area school environment. These students, identified by the school officials as potential dropouts, are characteristic of those usually underrepresented in most high school drug use surveys because of their absenteeism and lack of interest in school activities. Results of the study suggest that cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol (hard as well as beer or wine) are used by the majority of students. Reported use of other drugs is considerably lower but still high enough to cause concern. The extent of “social drug” and marijuana use by these potential dropouts is higher than that reported in other studies; for instance, reported marijuana usage is about twice as high as reported by most other studies. In addition, among students who use drugs, social drugs and marijuana are being used more than during the preceding year. Boys and girls appear to be characterized by different patterns of drug use and attitudes, including use of LSD and amphetamines more by girls than boys and use of marijuana and alcohol more by boys.