The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

national epidemiologic survey of high school students grades 9 to 12
indicates that 31 percent of the students used marijuana at least once in
their lifetime, and 14 percent used this substance within 30 days prior to
the survey. Cocaine was tried at least once by 7 percent of the students
and recently (within 30 days) by 2 percent of the population. In addition,
these data clearly demonstrate that alcohol is the substance of choice for
high school students: 88 percent of the students consumed alcohol at
some point in their lifetime, and 59 percent consumed alcohol at least
once within the preceding 30 days, with 37 percent consuming five or
more drinks on one occasion (CDC 1991b). A national study of high
school students from both public and private schools found a prevalence
of 2.7 percent for students who reported a history of illicit drug injection.
Of these students, 0.8 percent reported sharing a needle at some point in
time. Similarly, within the previous year, 1.7 percent of the students
reported IDU behavior and 0.5 percent shared a needle (Holtzman et al.
1991). A more recent national study by CDC reported IDU behaviors
among 2 percent of its student population (CDC 1993b). Grade, age, and
gender differences in overall rates of illicit substance and alcohol use
have been noted; use of all substances increased with each higher grade
level (seniors demonstrated highest rates of use for all substances) and
was more prevalent among males than females for both lifetime and
recent use (CDC 1991b).
A national longitudinal study (combined data from 1985 to 1989) of licit
and illicit use of substances among high school seniors revealed
significant ethnic/racial differences (Bachman et al. 1991). Annual
prevalence rates for marijuana were found to be highest among white
males and females, followed by Native American males and females and
Mexican-American males. Although rates among other Hispanic and
African-American males were somewhat lower, rates were lowest among
Hispanic females, African-American females, and Asian-American males
and females. Regarding use of cocaine, prevalence rates were highest
among Native American males and females and Hispanic males;
somewhat lower rates were found for Hispanic females and white males
and females, and the lowest rates were among Asian Americans and
African Americans. However, among Hispanic males and African-
American males and females, the prevalence was almost twice as high for
males than females.
Alcohol consumption among white and Native American males and
females was relatively higher than among Asian-American and African-
American students; about half of the males and one-third of the females
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