Kindergarten children's knowledge and perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs

Kindergarten children's knowledge and perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATODs) were assessed and the congruence between parent ATOD use and children's knowledge of ATODs was examined. Data were collected during the pre-intervention phase of an ATOD prevention trial with 5- and 6-year-old children and their parents. Three elementary schools were randomly selected from a population of 15 high-risk elementary schools in Lexington, Ky., (n = 126 parent-child dyads). Children were interviewed about their knowledge, feelings, and attitudes toward ATODs using the Child Drug Awareness Inventory. Parents self-reported ATOD use. Almost all (95%) kindergarten children recognized cigarettes; 56% correctly identified alcoholic beverages; and 17% recognized at least one illicit drug. Minority children were almost four times more likely to recognize illicit drugs than were non-minority children. Children's knowledge of ATODs was not correlated with the parents' reported drug use. ATOD prevention programs for young children merit greater emphasis.