Predicting Involvement with Illicit Drugs Part I: Development of the Instrument

Abstract

This report describes some of the methodological issues raised in a feasibility study to develop a psychological test to predict illicit drug use. A small set of questions was found with different responses as a function of prior drug use. The ability of these questions to discriminate groups on the basis of prior drug use was maintained in a cross-validation study with different subjects. The extent to which these attitudinal correlates of drug use might be attitudinal predictors of drug use is being evaluated in a prospective study the results of which will be reported at a later time.