Drug Use Among Students Up, State Poll Finds

A state survey, sure to add fuel to Republican election-year political fires, showed Monday that drug use among California students is on the rise.

Republican Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren released the study less than a week after GOP presidential contender Bob Dole pounced on a federal government report indicating a similar finding: an increased use of drugs by America’s teenagers.

“Much like the national statistics released last week, this survey illustrates a disturbing trend of growing drug use among California’s students, especially during the last four years,” Lungren said.

“In the late ‘80s, drug use among California students decreased. In the early ‘90s it mostly leveled off, with some warning signs of small increases. Over the past four years, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in drug use among students--back to levels that rival peaks 10 years ago,” he said.

The federal study, released last week, found drug use among 12- to 17-year-olds rose from 5.3% of those surveyed in 1992 to 10.9% in 1995.

The state departments of alcohol and drug programs, education, and health services surveyed nearly 6,000 students in schools scattered throughout California from November 1995 to March 1996.

Among the findings:

* Alcohol use in the last six months: 67.2% of ninth graders, down from 68.6% reported in a 1993-94 survey; 75.3% of 11th graders, up from 74.3% in 1993-94.

* Marijuana use in last six months: 34.2% of ninth graders, up from 30.4% in 1993-94; 42.8% of 11th graders, up from 40% in 1993-94.

* Amphetamine use in last six months: 10.8% of ninth graders, up from 7.5% in 1993-94; 10.4% of 11th graders, up from 10.1% in 1993-94.

* LSD use in the last six months: 9.9% of ninth graders, up from 8.6% in 1993-94; 10.8% of 11th graders, down from 12.2% in the 1993-94 survey.

* Heroin use in the last six months: 2.9% of ninth graders, up from 1% in 1993-94; 2.2% of 11th graders, up from 1.4% in 1993-94.

* Cocaine use in the last six months: 6.4% of ninth graders, up from 6.1% in 1993-94; 7.2% of 11 graders, up from 4.9% in 1993-94.

Use in all categories is defined as at least once during a six-month period.