s of society through encounters at school.
Brower, K.J. & Anglin, M.D. (1987). Adolescent cocaine use: Epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention. Journal of Drug Education, 17(2), 163-180.
This article reviews studies of general cocaine usage among adolescents and discusses various social and psychological factors associated with the use of the drug. The point is made that adolescent use of cocaine is increasing due to it now being offered in the form of crack. Interestingly, the authors make the point that most youngsters who try crack actually do terminate usage after middle to moderate experimentation. In other words, despite the highly addictive nature of the substance, most adolescents do not become addicts after using it a few times or more.
Several factors do, however, appear to be contributive to adolescents becoming addicted. Among the risk factors discussed for addiction are: male gender, previous use of marihuana, lack of social connections to family and school, peer influence, and psychopathology. It is recommended that prevention efforts be targeted at high-risk pre-adolescents and that these efforts be predominately psychoeducational in nature.
Elliott, K.T. & Coker, D.R. (1991). Crack babies: Here they come, ready or not. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 18(1), 60-64.
This article discusses both the legal and social implications of children being exposed, in utero, to crack cocaine. However, it is social implications that are emphasized, noting that crack cocaine can lead to birth defects which can jeopardize these children's academic progress as they move through the school system.
The point is made that children exposed to crack cocaine in utero tend to come form non-nurturing home environments. Also discussed, is the fact that there is very little research as to how in utero exposure to crack can lead to either learning disabilities or inappropriate and disruptive classroom behavior.
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