Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among rural/small town and urban youth: a secondary analysis of the monitoring the future data set.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared prevalence of substance use among high school seniors in rural and urban areas from 1976 through 1992.


METHODS
We used data collected for these years from urban (n = 75,916) and rural (n = 51,182) high school seniors. Thirty-day prevalence for alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, and inhalant use, binge drinking, smoking a pack or more of cigarettes a day, and daily alcohol and marijuana use were evaluated.


RESULTS
Substance use declined from 1976 through 1992. In 1976, urban students had greater prevalence for most substances, but by 1992, rural and urban students were similar, with rural students having higher prevalence for alcohol and cigarette use (particularly excessive use). Trends were similar for both sexes, though rural girls showed a later catch-up to use levels of urban girls.


CONCLUSIONS
Rural students are currently at risk approximately equal to that of urban students. Other studies have demonstrated the association of substance use with increased morbidity and mortality. Policy alterations and health education programs should address this pattern in the nation's rural areas.
Cronk
C E
CE
Center for Rural Health & Social Service Development, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 62901, USA.
Sarvela
P D
PD
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D003042:Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012997:Solvents; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D012997:Solvents; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D003042:Cocaine