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Factors influencing confirmed drug positives for Navy and Marine Corps recruits
R W Romberg1, S B Needleman, M Past
1Navy Drug Screening Laboratory, Great Lakes, IL 60088.
Abstract:
Confirmed use of marijuana and cocaine in Navy and Marine Corps recruit populations was examined in terms of age, month of enlistment, recruit class size, education level, and Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT) scores. Between 1982 and 1989, confirmed use of the drugs showed a seasonal variation, with the highest levels in the fall and winter. The rate for marijuana and cocaine was inversely related to the size of the recruit class (r = -0.80) and completion of high school (r = -0.82). The recruit class is larger and younger in the summer. AFQT scores were directly related to age. Education level appears to be one major determinant in addressing drug use.