Decision Factors and Program Preferences of Drug-Using and Non-Using Students

Factors considered by high school youth when deciding whether to use alcohol and marijuana are examined along with student perceptions of various drug prevention initiatives. Respondents who reported no drug use in the preceding year cited a greater number of decision-making factors and endorsed more interventive strategies as effective in deterring personal drug use than students with some level of prior drug involvement. Concern about injuring another person was the most commonly cited decision factor, irrespective of previous alcohol or marijuana use. For all levels of student drug involvement, the program initiatives most frequently endorsed included providing information about the negative consequences of substance abuse. The importance of subgroup analyses is addressed with reference to drug program design and evaluation.