The relationship of early adolescent substance use to extracurricular activities, peer influence, and personal attitudes

Two hundred and thirty-seven seventh- and eighth-grade students were assessed for levels of drug/alcohol use, involvement in extracurricular activities, peer influence, and personal attitudes. Cross-tabulations and the chi-square test of independence were used to statistically compare the three groups (non-users, users, and abusers). Several trends emerged from the data.