Wright, L.S. (1985). High school polydrug users and abusers. Adolescence, 20, 853.

OVERVIEW

The purpose of this research was "to determine the frequency of polydrug use, non-use, and abuse among a sample of high school seniors and to compare the characteristics of polydrug users and abusers with those of non-polydrug users."

DESIGN

Self-administered questionnaires were completed by a random sampling of 433 high school seniors.

FINDINGS

Of the 433 respondents, 12% were polydrug users or abusers.

• In comparison with the non-users, polydrug users or abusers were more likely to indicate:
  • Physical abuse by, and many conflicts with, parents.
  • Self-ratings of "lazy," "bored," "rejected," and "unhealthy."
  • Seriously suicidal thoughts.
  • Delinquent behavior.
  • Early use of marijuana and alcohol.
  • The tendency to drink more than six alcoholic drinks at a sitting.
  • Agreement with the following statements: "If something feels good, I usually do it and don’t worry about the consequences," and "I try to play as much as possible and work as little as possible."

IMPLICATIONS

1. If approximately 20% of teenagers experience serious problems with which they need help, it follows that 12% of those who have remained in high school to the senior year would be polydrug users or abusers.
2. A large percentage of teens suffers various sorts of abuse in the home. They need surrogate parents to help them regain trust, as well as a sense of dignity and responsibility.
3. Early usage of alcohol and marijuana predicts heavier drug use and needs to be dealt with at the junior high age.
4. Drug use has a high correlation to feelings of laziness, boredom, and low self-esteem. Preventive action spots young people with these attitudes and finds ways to challenge them to participation and growth.
5. Drugs are often self-medication for suicidal feelings of depression. Personal achievement and acceptance from a positive group are the best therapies for such adolescent feelings. Of course, this does not discount the need for professional intervention.