This study explores youth's perceptions and understanding of the social phenomenon of drugs in our society. Sixty-four students (32 fourth graders and 32 eleventh graders), selected from schools in the Portland Public School District participated individually in a one hour interview where they responded to open ended questions that probed for their perceptions of drug use. Participants were also asked to describe their feelings regarding anti-drug messages they view in the media and their comments regarding the "Just Say NO" program. The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed and half were used to develop a code that captured recurring themes in the data. Using the code book, five trained individuals coded the 64 transcripts. Reliability, assessed by computing Cohen's Kappa on half the interviews, ranged from .62 to .75, with an average reliability of .69. Seventeen themes derived from the content analysis were discussed which confirm the dramatic impact the peer group has on drug use as well as demonstrate age differences associated with perceptions of anti-drug messages. One hundred percent of the participants noted that there are peer influences promoting drug use. Eleventh graders were more likely than fourth graders to note that drugs are used as a means to escape, overcome constraints or for pleasurable stimulation. Fourth graders were more positive in their responses to the anti-drug commercials and the "Just Say NO" campaign. This research provides information regarding the perceptions of young people that can potentially broaden the dialogue of program planners as well as increase the effectiveness of anti-drug programs and messages.

The use and abuse of drugs among adolescents and adults has prompted a renewed national concern about drug abuse. Educational programs have attempted to provided factual information and create negative attitudes about drug use so that students will decide not to use drugs. Studies have revealed, however, that the drug programs have not been effective in reducing drug use. The present research addresses two primary questions: 1) Are there developmental differences in young persons' perceptions of social and moral dilemmas associated with drug use? and 2) Are gender and race associated with social and moral reasoning about drug use? Semi-structured interviewers were conducted with 32 fourth and 32 eleventh grade students. The interview posed two vignettes about drug-related behavior, including helping behavior. In addition, the interview probed respondents' conceptions of the problems associated with drug use and of the treatment that users and dealers should receive. Content analysis produced 40 codes which reached the reliability criterion of 60 percent agreement. The Kappas ranged from .57 to .91 (m = .66). Chi square tests were conducted, using the variables of race, sex and the thematic categories associated with each question. Of the 26 tests of significance conducted on the variables, two were significant for grade, two were significant for gender and one was significant for race. Eleventh grade students were more likely to specifically reject some category of help than the fourth grade students (x2 = 4.48,p < .05, df = 1). Fourth grade students were more likely to consider teachers as a source of help (x2 = 3.48,p < .06, df= 1). Female students were more likely to acknowledge risk to themselves due to helping (x2 = 4.27,p < .04, df= I). Caucasian students were more likely to acknowledge that there may be risks to the helpee due to helping (x2 = 3.52,p < .06, df= 1). Male students were more likely to want punishment and control of drug dealers (x2 = 5.32,p < .05, df= 1). In general, the :findings indicate that there are fewer developmental, gender and race differences in children's perception of drug use and associated dilemmas than might be expected. Students' descriptions did reveal that they are thinking and reasoning about the information given to them.