Research Findings
Youth Violence and Illicit Drug Use
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), Offi ce of
Applied Studies, National Survey on Drug
Use and Health (NSDUH), The NSDUH
Report,
Issue 5, 2006
Data collected during the 2002, 2003, and
2004 NSDUH show:
• Youths aged 12 to 17 who used an illicit
drug in the past year were almost twice as
likely to have engaged in a violent behavior
as those who did not use an illicit drug
(49.8 vs. 26.6 percent; p. 1).
• Adolescents who were not attending
or enrolled in school at the time of the
survey were more likely to have engaged
in violent behavior than those who were
attending or enrolled in school (39.9 vs.
31.4 percent; p. 3).
• Rates of past-year violent behavior were
higher among youths aged 13, 14, and 15
than those younger or older (p. 1).
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/
youthViolence/youthViolence.htm
Girls and Drugs—A New Analysis:
Recent Trends, Risk Factors and
Consequences Executive Offi ce of the President, Offi ce
of National Drug Control Policy, February
2006
Analysis of recent trends in drug and
alcohol use among girls shows that in 2004
more girls than boys started using alcohol,
cigarettes, and marijuana. Teen girls
also outnumber boys in their misuse of
prescription drugs. Teen girls are vulnerable
to unique risk factors shown to lead to
substance use:
• Depression, anxiety, and concerns about
appearance and weight;
• Risky sexual behavior;
• Early puberty;
• Psychiatric and conduct disorders;
• Physical and sexual abuse;
• Stress and low self-esteem; and
• Peer pressure.
http://www.mediacampaign.org/pdf/girls_and_drugs.pdf
National Survey of American
Attitudes on Substance Abuse XI:
Teens and Parents
The National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University,
August 2006
Survey results indicate one-third of all teens
and nearly half of 17-year-olds attend house
parties where parents are present and teens
are drinking, smoking marijuana, or using
other drugs. The annual back-to-school
assessment conducted by CASA also reveals
that teens who attend parties where no
parents are present are 16 times likelier to
say alcohol is available, 15 times likelier to
say illegal and prescription drugs are available,
and 29 times likelier to say marijuana
is available, compared to teens who say
parents are always present at the parties
they attend (p. ii).
http://www.casacolumbia.org/supportcasa/item.asp?cID=12&PID=148
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