The “Drugs and Alcohol Measure” prompt students to report their first use, past 30-day use, and past-year use of drugs. Students are also asked to report the reasons for using some drugs (e.g. steroids).
This measure is from the Monitoring the Future survey, which assesses the behaviors, attitudes, and values of adolescents and young adults. Results are used to monitor trends in substance use and abuse among adolescents and young adults.
The “Problem Behavior Resulting from Drug or Alcohol Use” measure asks students how many times they have gotten into trouble with different people in their lives due to drug and alcohol use.
The “Interactions with Law Enforcement” measure asks students about their experience with police arrests, police questioning, court appearances, legal detainment, likelihood of being punished for illegal behavior, and the type of punishment for illegal behavior.
The “Substance Use” measure asks students about their past and present use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Sample item: “How many times in the last year have you used angel dust or PCP?”
The “Exposure to Delinquent Peers” measure asks students to think about their friends’ delinquent behavior over the past 12 months. Behaviors include drug use, theft, physical violence, and drug distribution.
The “Attitudes Toward Deviance” measure asks students to report their feelings about delinquent acts.
Sample item: “How wrong is it for someone your age to use marijuana or hashish?”
