Phencyclidine use in delinquent males committed to a training school

Delinquent males committed to a training school were interviewed to determine the extent and the effects of phencyclidine use. Nine of 109 (8%) drug using subjects knowingly had used phencyclidine in the past. These nine subjects were multiple drug abusers of other substances and had started taking drugs at an average age of 9.38 years which was significantly younger than non PCP users. Six of the nine PCP users had committed proven offenses against persons and in four cases violent actions were directly attributed to PCP use. Suicide attempts were made by five (55%) of the PCP users which was significantly more frequent than suicide attempts made by non PCP users.