Effective programs for drug prevention and rehabilitation must be based on reliable data reflecting accurate rates of use. An investigation of drug use among 4,220 white, middle-American adolescents in Grades 8 through 12 shows that although drug use begins early, overall reported usage rates were relatively low. Marijuana was the most extensively consumed drug. Although boys reported more experience with all types of drugs, both sexes showed similar patterns of consumption. The greatest percentage of increase in the use of soft drugs occurred between IS and 16 years of age and their greater use was reported by respondents in higher socioeconomic schools. High correlations existed between the use of one drug with another. The low frequency of the use of hard drugs suggests that their consumption is not a severe problem for the youth of the population sampled.

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