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Simultaneous polydrug use among teens: prevalence and predictors.
R L Collins1, P L Ellickson, R M Bell
1RAND, Santa Monica, CA, USA. rebecca_collins@rand.org
Journal of Substance Abuse
|February 26, 2000
Summary
Simultaneous polydrug use (SPU) affects 29% of high school seniors. Risk factors include pro-drug environments and family disruption, with targeted prevention needed for different drug combinations.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent substance use research
- Public health
- Criminology
Background:
- Simultaneous polydrug use (SPU) is a dangerous behavior often established by late adolescence.
- Understanding SPU prevalence and associated factors is crucial for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine SPU prevalence in 12th graders.
- To identify 10th-grade risk and protective factors for SPU.
- To analyze SPU differences across race and gender.
Main Methods:
- Survey of diverse 12th-grade students.
- Analysis of risk and protective factors identified in 10th grade.
- Comparison of SPU rates across racial and gender groups.
Main Results:
- 29% of participants reported past-year SPU.
- Alcohol/marijuana SPU predictors: pro-drug environment, beliefs, social deviance, family disruption.
- Hard drug SPU predictor: pro-drug environment.
- Gender and race differences observed in SPU patterns.
Conclusions:
- SPU is a significant problem among older adolescents.
- Prevention programs for gateway drugs may suffice for SPU involving them.
- Reducing drug availability is key for preventing hard drug SPU.