Student Attitudes Concerning Drug Abuse Education and Prevention

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey the drug use patterns for three academic settings-The University of Florida, Santa Fe Community College and two local high schools. Although the statistics found are not a typical of similar data collected in other sections of the country, several useful relationships were revealed. For the total study population of 1,029 subjects, there was a high degree of drug use and experimentation, especially for alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana. Over 70 per cent of the students surveyed felt that they were well informed about drugs and that drug use should be restricted on all levels. However, approximately the same per cent were unaware of existing drug use prevention programs at their schools although they strongly favored such programs or courses especially for parents. Sports and recreational activities were chosen as preferred alternatives to drug use. Small group discussions were indicated by a majority of students at all levels as the most effective approach to drug abuse education. Doctors and physicians were considered the most reliable source of drug abuse information on the college and university level, while fellow peers were the primary source for the high school level. Generally, the survey revealed that the extent of drug use in the three populations surveyed was high and effective preventative programs were lacking or minimal. Specific recommendations to minimize these deficiencies are presented in the article.