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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Survey Hightlights Teen Substance Abuse Factors [08/20-1]
Excerpts from: Teen Substance Abuse Factors Highlighted
By JENNIFER C. KERR Newsday.com
[08/19/03]
A survey of American children and parents released Tuesday found a mix of three
ingredients in abundance for many kids can lead to substance abuse: boredom,
stress and extra money.
The annual study by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse also found students attending smaller schools or religious schools are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol
The study found that children ages 12 to 17 who are frequently bored are 50 percent more likely to smoke, drink, get drunk or use illegal drugs. And kids with $25 or more a week in spending money are nearly twice as likely to smoke, drink or use drugs as children with less money.Anxiety is another risk factor. The study found that youngsters who said they're
highly stressed are twice as likely as low-stress kids to smoke, drink or use
drugs.
* The average age of first use of alcohol is about 12, while cigarettes is 12 1/2 and marijuana is almost 14
* Kids at schools with more than 1,200 students are twice as likely as those attending schools with fewer than 800 students to be at high risk for substance abuse.
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