inking said they did so when they were upset because it made them feel better; 31 percent reported drinking alone; 25 percent drink to get high; and 25 percent drink when they are bored. Dr. Novello said this data should be a source of concern: "These teen-agers are telling us something important: They drink to handle stress. They drink deliberately to change the way they feel. And we know that the use of alcohol to, in effect, self-medicate, is the trapdoor to full-blown alcoholism" (Jones, 1991: p. 8). The survey confirmed the concerns of children's advocacy groups and anti-alcohol-abuse organizations, both of which had said for years that anti-drug efforts had failed to change teenagers' attitudes about drinking. This is particularly true of alcohol use--while the use of illicit drugs such as marijuana and cocaine has steadily declined among high school students over the past decade, alcohol consumption remains widespread. Students in this survey also reported that they had little difficulty getting alcohol either by buying it themselves or by asking older friends to buy it for them. About two-thirds of the students who drink reported buying their own alcohol, some using fake identification, others buying from stores known to sell to young people, and others simply going into the store and buying it unchallenged (Jones: p. 8).
Morrison (1990) states that adolescence is a confusing and complex period in life, a time of questioning, exploring, and risk taking, and drug use has become an increasingly prevalent part of an adolescent's rite of passage. Morrison also believes that the youth of today are responding to the promise of the contemporary chemical culture which seems to offer quick relief and instant gratification, popularity, and an attractive peer group along with sexual prowess and financial success. These things all represent primary adolescent issues and desires and are enhanced through television and other medi...