Drugs and Preteens: How Much Do You Know?

2. What percentage of eighth graders have tried alcohol?

• Less than 30 percent.
  Sorry, that's not correct. The figures are higher. 54 percent of eighth grade students have tried alcohol, some in substantial amounts. And in 1997, 15 percent of eighth graders reported binge drinking (defined as having five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion in the prior two weeks).
• 30-40 percent.
  Sorry, that's not correct. The figures are higher. 54 percent of eighth grade students have tried alcohol, some in substantial amounts. And in 1997, 15 percent of eighth graders reported binge drinking (defined as having five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion in the prior two weeks).
• 40-50 percent.
  Close, but it's actually higher. 54 percent of eighth grade students have tried alcohol, some in substantial amounts. And in 1997, 15 percent of eighth graders reported binge drinking (defined as having five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion in the prior two weeks).
• 50-60 percent.
  That's right. 54 percent of eighth grade students have tried alcohol, some in substantial amounts. And in 1997, 15 percent of eighth graders reported binge drinking (defined as having five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion in the prior two weeks).

3. Teen smokers are seven times as likely to abuse drugs or become drug dependent as their nonsmoking peers.

• True.
  That's right! And adolescent smoking is on the rise. (The proportion of eighth graders who reported smoking daily increased from seven percent in 1992 to nine percent in 1997). Start early to educate young people about the negative effects of smoking. In addition to health risks and a strong correlation between smoking and drug use, it has also been found that teen smokers are twice as likely to suffer depression as teenage nonsmokers.
• False.
  No, it's actually true. And adolescent smoking is on the rise. (The proportion of eighth graders who reported smoking daily increased from seven percent in 1992 to nine percent in 1997). Start early to educate young people about the negative effects of smoking. In addition to health risks and a strong correlation between smoking and drug use, it has also been found that teen smokers are twice as likely to suffer depression as teenage nonsmokers.

4. Methamphetamine is a stimulant with strong effects on the central nervous system. The "street name" for this drug is:

• Speed.
  No, it's actually known by all these names: speed, meth, and crank. And crystallized methamphetamine, a more powerful form of the drug that can be smoked, is known as ice, crystal, or glass.
• Meth.
  No, it's actually known by all these names: speed, meth, and crank. And crystallized methamphetamine, a more powerful form of the drug that can be smoked, is known as ice, crystal, or glass.
• Crank.
  No, it's actually known by all these names: speed, meth, and crank. And crystallized methamphetamine, a more powerful form of the drug that can be smoked, is known as ice, crystal, or glass.
• All of these names.
  That's right! It's known by all of these names. And crystallized methamphetamine, a more powerful form of the drug that can be smoked, is known as ice, crystal or glass.

5. Children with the strictest parents are the least likely to turn to alcohol or other drugs.

• True.
  Sorry, that's not correct. Studies demonstrate that how strict or permissive parents are is not nearly as important as how "affectionately close" children feel to their parents. However, setting clear rules IS important. A recent study shows that 49 percent of teens who never receive clear rules use drugs. Among teens who consistently receive clear rules, that percentage drops to 21 percent.
• False.
  Correct. Studies demonstrate that how strict or permissive parents are is not nearly as important as how "affectionately close" children feel to their parents. However, setting clear rules IS important. A recent study shows that 49 percent of teens who never receive clear rules use drugs. Among teens who consistently receive clear rules, that percentage drops to 21 percent.