Teens On Drugs, Alcohol Also Carry Weapons: Survey
NEW YORK, Mar 23 (Reuters Health) - American adolescents who drink alcohol or use drugs are more likely to carry a weapon, and they are more likely to do so while they are under the influence, according to a report.
"A large number of kids who admit to using substances or using alcohol seem to be carrying weapons when they are not able to make clear and conscious decisions because they're under the influence," said lead study author Dr. Cheryl Kodjo, who presented her findings this week at the annual meeting of the Society for Adolescent Medicine in San Diego, California.
Kodjo and her colleagues from the University of Rochester, New York, analyzed a national survey of over 6,500 male and female students between the ages of 11 and 21.
The researchers found that 13% of those who said they drank or used drugs reported carrying a weapon at one point--compared with only 4% of those who did not report drug or alcohol use. In addition, 8% of those who consumed alcohol and 10% of those who took drugs reported carrying a weapon while under the influence.
The researchers also noted that both male and female students who drink or take drugs were most likely to carry a weapon if they were also involved in either selling drugs or gang-fighting activities. And they concluded that substance-abusing students who carry weapons were at an increased risk for fatalities.
Kodjo told Reuters Health that the best way to avoid the volatile mixing of alcohol, drugs, and weapons is to involve students in social work programs that enable them to discuss a wide range of risky behaviors with their peers as well as adults.
"Violence prevention programs among adolescents need to be multifaceted, to help students build a range of skills such as how to refuse to take drugs, engage in sex, or carry a weapon," she added., http://www.100md.com
"A large number of kids who admit to using substances or using alcohol seem to be carrying weapons when they are not able to make clear and conscious decisions because they're under the influence," said lead study author Dr. Cheryl Kodjo, who presented her findings this week at the annual meeting of the Society for Adolescent Medicine in San Diego, California.
Kodjo and her colleagues from the University of Rochester, New York, analyzed a national survey of over 6,500 male and female students between the ages of 11 and 21.
The researchers found that 13% of those who said they drank or used drugs reported carrying a weapon at one point--compared with only 4% of those who did not report drug or alcohol use. In addition, 8% of those who consumed alcohol and 10% of those who took drugs reported carrying a weapon while under the influence.
The researchers also noted that both male and female students who drink or take drugs were most likely to carry a weapon if they were also involved in either selling drugs or gang-fighting activities. And they concluded that substance-abusing students who carry weapons were at an increased risk for fatalities.
Kodjo told Reuters Health that the best way to avoid the volatile mixing of alcohol, drugs, and weapons is to involve students in social work programs that enable them to discuss a wide range of risky behaviors with their peers as well as adults.
"Violence prevention programs among adolescents need to be multifaceted, to help students build a range of skills such as how to refuse to take drugs, engage in sex, or carry a weapon," she added., http://www.100md.com