Drug use among secondary school students, New South Wales, 1986

This survey has a number of objectives: to monitor the nature and extent of alcohol and other drug use; to provide data from which the need for social policy and educational initiatives could be determined; and to provide background data to facilitate the evaluation of such initiatives. The drugs examined in this study were tobacco, alcohol, analgesics, inhalants, marijuana, sedatives, hallucinogens, narcotics and stimulants (including cocaine). The first part of the questionnaire investigates knowledge of drugs and knowledge and beliefs about the effect of drugs. Half of the sample of students were then questioned about whether they have ever smoked cigarettes, how often they smoke, what they would do if their friends smoke, whether people close to them smoke, methods of obtaining cigarettes, and perceived effects of smoking. Similar questions were asked about alcohol and inhalants of the other half of the sample, with a section on headache powders and tablets concluding the questionnaire. Background variables include: age, sex, country of birth, parents' birthplace and household structure.