title: Student perceptions of the danger of drug use: a factor analysis.
abstract: Australian secondary school students from three Year levels were asked to rate the danger involved in various uses of alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, marijuana and other illicit drugs. These ratings were then factor analyzed for each Year level. The results showed a more refined discrimination among the older students, with type of drug and frequency of use being important considerations. Familiarity was a major consideration for the younger students. The cognitive factors derived from the data are consistent with expectations based on the gateway theory of drug use.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Drug Strategy Unit, Health Department Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Crundall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs