The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System monitors six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to causes of death and disability among youth and young adults.
The “Alcohol and Other Drug Use” measure prompts students to report their use of alcohol and other drugs over the past month, the past year, and across their lifetime.
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?”
