Adolescence and Substance Use

Through the Washington Kids Count project, HSPC has issued a series of reports on the relationship between substance use, academic achievement, and child well-being. Copies of the reports and press releases associated with this work are available here.

Titles:

• Impact of Substance Use and Violence/Delinquency on Academic Achievement for groups of Middle and High School Students in Washington

  In this study we examined the associations among substance use, violent/delinquent behavior, and academic achievement in groups of high school and middle school children. Because these risky behaviors commonly take place in groups, and attitudes towards these behaviors are nurtured in a social context, we analyzed our data at the group level (grade by gender by race/ethnicity). We found that groups of middle and high school students with even moderate involvement with substance use and violence/delinquency had poorer overall test scores than groups of students with little or no involvement in these behaviors.

• The Impact of Peer Substance Use on Middle School Performance in Washington State (86k)
• Alcohol, Tobacco and Substance Abuse and Washington Children