Supports for, and Consequences of, Early Drug Involvement among Inner City Junior High School Youths Living in Three Neighborhood Settings

Abstract

This article addresses the concept of pursuing more focussed and innovative drug abuse prevention efforts in urban settings. Concentrating in inner city junior high school youths, our study found an interactive relationship between perceived neighborhood setting and various supports for, and consequences of, their drug involvement. The results imply that the processes by which youths become involved with drugs should be the focus of future research to enhance and improve drug abuse prevention programs. Finally, we recommend such research be utilized: 1) to identify and reduce youths' drug abuse vulnerability; and 2) to reestablish or create socio-cultural norms which reinforce limited and controlled drug use.