Substance Misuse Research Paper

Substance (including alcohol and drugs) misuse is a serious problem in the United States. It is likely that either someone misuses, or knows of someone who misuses substances. This is also true for the young adult population. According to Hingson, Heeren, Winter, and Wechsler's (2005) study, substance misuse may be one of the most serious health issues facing young adults. In their study, Hingson et al. (2005) noted that substance misuse is a major contributor to mortality (e.g., suicides), unintentional injuries (e.g., car accidents), and illnesses (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases due to unprotected sex) among young adults. Hingson, et al. and Pugh and Bry's (2007) studies found that young adults that were in college drank more heavily

Their study paralleled a survey (mentioned in their study) done by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2004), and both found that Black youth have lower prevalence rates of alcohol and marijuana than Whites and Hispanics. Pugh and Bry speculated that this may be due to Black cultural norms (e.g., extended family relationships and respect for elders). In contrast to Pugh and Bry, and Hingson, et al.'s (2005) studies, Jason et al.'s (2009) study found that Black youth had a higher prevalence than White youth in two areas: having ever used drugs, and having illicit drug offers. Jason et al. also found that young girls had a higher prevalence rate of using than young

There is a scant amount of research on why children/adolescents decide to use, and what may be done to control their use. Juvonen, Martino, Ellickson, and Longshore (2007) examined whether or not the perceived prevalence of alcohol and drug use among same-age peers had an effect on their own use (the "but others are doing it" theory). Their study examined surveys that were collected from students in the fall of seventh grade, and follow-up surveys collected from the same students in the spring of eighth grade. The Juvonen et al. study had an approximately even amount of male and female students (51% vs. 49% respectively). Consistent with the authors' expectations, the perceived prevalence of alcohol and drug use among same-age peers was a good predictor of students' own subsequent use. However, when students' own alcohol and marijuana use was added to the model, their perceptions either diminished or eliminated (respectively) the effect of perceived prevalence. Juvonen et al.'s findings suggest that in an effort to curtail alcohol and drug use among adolescents/youth, there should be a model that includes not only accurately perceived norms, but also the actual behaviors, and peer affiliations of the