Preservice Drug Usage Among Naval Recruits: A 5-Year Trend Analysis
Abstract
A specially designed Drug Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) was developed and administered under anonymous conditions to recruits in training at the Recruit Training Command, San Diego. This instrument was given on an annual basis from 1971 to 1975 to over 9000 recruits. The DEQ contained nine items assessing preservice drug involvement. It was noted that the percentage of preservice nondrug users decreased each year from a high of 58 percent in 1971 to a low of 47 percent in 1975. Marijuana was the most commonly used drug over the 5 years, with 51 percent of the recruits in 1975 reporting some use during the previous 6 months. Over the 5 years, significant increases in the rates of usage were found for marijuana, amphetamines and barbiturates. Overall, most preservice users of drugs other than marijuana could be classified as experimenters. Strong relationships were also found between drug involvement and various demographic factors and, in general, supported the contention that drug users posses other characteristics that predispose them to lower rates of military effectiveness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA030598
Entities
People
- Edmund D. Thomas
- Kent S. Crawford
- Patricia J. Thomas
Organizations
- Bureau of Naval Personnel