title: The prevalence and frequency of drug use among Western Australian metropolitan high school students.
abstract: Data pertaining to prevalence and frequency of drug use were obtained from 1,394 Western Australian metropolitan high school students using a self-report questionnaire. Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, hallucinogens, and amphetamines were reported as the most prevalent substances, with over 50% of "current drug users" using alcohol and marijuana on a frequent basis (i.e., weekly to more than once per day). Significant interactions existed between Gender and prevalence of tobacco and hallucinogens; and School Year Level and prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, hallucinogens and amphetamines. In terms of the frequency of use, significant interactions were found between Gender and marijuana; and between School Year Level and tobacco. Approximately 40% of substance-using participants used one single substance, 40% used two or three substances, and 20% used four or more substances. The results suggest there is a need for educators to have a greater understanding of the patterns of substance use in order for them to more aptly shape drug education programs.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odgers
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs