Continuing surveillance of drug use among American Indian adolescents living on reservations shows them to have rates of use higher than those of their non-Indian counterparts. Marijuana use is particularly high. By the seventh grade, a significant number of youth have tried drugs. Few significant gender differences exist. (Author/BJV)

Reviews several theories explaining adolescent drug use to provide background for describing peer cluster theory. Peer clusters dictate the shared beliefs, values, and behaviors that determine where, when, and with whom drugs are used. Peer cluster theory incorporates those psychosocial factors that promote or inoculate against drug use in youth.…

Asserts that drug use by adolescents is rooted in personal attitudes and values and in the youth's relationship with family and peers. Having established that drug use is rooted in problems within the counselor's domain, discusses potential role of counselor in working with adolescent drug use. (NB)

Lists 36 references and abstracts of publications on drug and alcohol use of American Indian youth, by staff of the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, since 1978. Includes papers on high rates of use, epidemiology, psychosocial correlates of use, prevention, and treatment. (SV)

Peer cluster theory suggests that the socialization factors that accompany adolescent development interact to produce peer clusters that encourage or discourage drug involvement. Correlations of socialization variables, strength of the family, family sanctions against drug use, religious identification, and school adjustment with drug use confirm…

Overall drug use by Indian and non-Indian youth increased from 1975 to the early 1980s, then declined. Indian youth were consistently more involved with drugs than were non-Indians. Longitudinal data suggest a recent decline in drug use resulting from moderate users shifting to nonuse, but not heavy users. (SV)

Reports the drug involvement of students in an alternative high school. Students include those transferred for behavior problems or dropouts returning to complete school. Drug use rates are exceptionally high, with significantly higher lifetime prevalence for nearly every drug. Current use of drugs is also very high. (Author/ABB)

Reviews current data on adolescent drug use, noting that, for drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and stimulants, lifetime prevalence continues to increase through high school; for inhalants and heroin, lifetime prevalence may decline, suggesting that students who use these drugs early may drop out. Examines drug use among rural, barrio, ghetto,…

Surveys of reservation and nonreservation American Indians and Anglo-Americans in grades 8 and 12 examined perceptions about availability of alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs; beliefs about whether occasional or regular use of alcohol or various drugs would cause harm; and intentions concerning future drug use. (SV)

Using the 1988-90 American Drug and Alcohol Survey data, compares drug use (lifetime and 30-day prevalence) among reservation and nonreservation American Indians and non-Indians in grades 8 and 12 in 1988-90. Found highest rates of drug use (marijuana, cocaine, crack, stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens, and other drugs), alcohol use, and smoking…

Surveys of students in grades 8 and 12 revealed that high-risk behaviors and serious consequences (including arrests, accidents, and interpersonal problems) related to drug and alcohol use were most frequent among reservation Indian youth and least frequent among non-Indians, with nonreservation Indian youth intermediate. (SV)

Among American Indian and non-Indian adolescents, drug and alcohol use was most likely to occur at weekend parties, at night with friends, and while driving around. Use at school was comparatively low. Heavy drug users were more likely to have friends who used drugs and encouraged drug use. (SV)

A survey of four large samples of Native American adolescents, conducted since 1975, shows that inhalant use is much higher for Indian than for non-Indian youth, is increasing, begins at an early age, is often associated with use of other drugs, and is influenced by peer and family attitudes. (JHZ)

Reviews theories about heavy alcohol and drug use among American Indians. Presents path models linking drug use of Indian and non-Indian adolescents to socialization characteristics: family strength and attitudes, religious identification, school adjustment, and peer drug associations (the most important factor). Lists risk factors for Indian…

The three-part report summarizes existing research on drug abuse in American Indian communities, suggests ways to combat the problem, and describes many different kinds of drugs and their effects. In Part I, much recent research is cited. Although methodology and results vary greatly, the research clearly points to a serious drug problem in many…