Participation in Youth Activities and Substance Use among Youths. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for August 13, 2004

摘要

The 2002 National Survey on Drug Useand Health (NSDUH) asks youths aged 12 to 17 how many different kinds ofschool-based, community-based, church- or faith-based, and other activities (e.g., karatelessons) that they participated in during the past 12 months. Respondents also are asked about their past month use of cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Any illicit drug refers to marijuana or hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type drugs used nonmedically. Prior research has linked participation in youth activities to a lower risk of substance use among youths. Participation in Youth Activities Approximately 91 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 participated in one or more activities during the past year. These youths were more likely to participate in school-based activities (81 percent)during the past year than community-based activities (69 percent), church- or faith-basedactivities (63 percent), or other activities (37 percent) (Figure 1).