Comparing Drug Users with Non-Users

Abstract

is director of research and evaluation of the Metropolitan Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn. Lawrence M. DeRidder if professor and department head of educational psychology and guidance at the University of Tennessee.This article reports a study comparing students who had experienced the illicit use of drugs with students who indicated complete abstinence. The study attempted to ascertain the values, attitudes, feelings, knowledge, and personal practices held by students that may have implications for parents, school personnel, and community leaders.THE widespread and accelerating use of illicit drugs by youth has placed tremendous pressures upon school people to &dquo;do something about it.&dquo; In many cases, drug education efforts have been a &dquo;show and tell&dquo; effort: show a film and get a speaker. The unspoken assumption has been that the youngsters need more information about the foolishness and dangers of using drugs. Too often these efforts also are based upon the assumption that if it is good for one student it is good for all students. Certainly there is a place for presenting information, and there is a place for persuasive personalities. But, should this be the drug education program for the school?The purpose of this study is to highlight some differences which might exist between the minority of students who have had some or much experience with illicit drugs, Users, and the majority of students who have never tried drugs, Non-Users. The responses of a boy or girl who once tried marijuana with some friends are included in the Users group. ,