NCJ Number
130370
Journal
Youth and Society Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 482-524
Date Published
1991
Length
43 pages
Annotation
A sample of 124 adolescents who participated in an experimental drug abuse prevention program for high-risk youth was studied to examine the impact of teacher social support and peer group social support on adolescent drug involvement; the study controlled for past associated behaviors.
Abstract
The results found that participation in the school-based drug abuse prevention program did lead to decreased drug use and related adverse consequences. Contrary to previous studies, the students in this sample were not influenced by a positive peer group culture. However, teacher social support did lead to decreased drug use, but did not directly alter adverse drug consequences. Teacher social support counteracted previous drug use behaviors. A third conclusion is that past drug use continues to influence teenager drug use patterns during the treatment program. In contrast to studies that link family disruption to increased adolescent drug use, this study found that living with a single parent (mother) influenced decreased drug use. 6 tables, 3 figures, 7 notes, and 76 references