51. Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. Teens: Ethnic and Racial Trends, Spring 2002.
- Author
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Delaney, Barbara
- Abstract
The annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) tracks consumers' attitudes about illegal drugs. PATS consists of two nationally projectable samples: a teen sample for students in grades 7-12 and a parent sample. The 2002 PATS, conducted in homes and schools, collected data using self-report surveys. Results indicate that after a decade of rising adolescent drug use, anti-drug attitudes are strengthening, and teen drug use is declining. African American teens are leading the decrease in teen use of marijuana. They also led the increase in teen use of marijuana in the early 1990s. The lower drug use among African American teens is consistent with leading research showing that African American youth have substantially lower rates of use of most licit and illicit drugs than do Whites and Hispanics. Areas of possible concern include the weakening of the perception of risk in inhalant abuse among white teens and the weakening of the perception of risk in heroin use among African American and Hispanic teens. Data are presented on marijuana, ecstacy, cocaine/crack, methamphetamines, inhalants, heroin, LSD, GHB and ketamine, prescription drug abuse, alcohol and cigarette use, general attitudes toward illegal drugs, reasons for use, exposure, intervention/treatment, advertising, sources of information about drug risks, computer use, and discussions with parents. (SM)
- Published
- 2002