Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use behaviors among adolescents in Erie County, New York.

This article provides estimates of the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use behaviors of ninth-grade students enrolled in public and parochial schools in Erie County, New York. A computer-scannable survey consisting of 50 questions was completed by 7,891 students in the fall of 1992. Survey findings show that tobacco and alcohol are the drugs used most often by ninth-grade students. Results also indicate that cigarette use is strongly associated with other drug use behaviors such as getting drunk, using marijuana, and other illegal drugs. A report detailing findings from the survey has been widely disseminated to school officials and community leaders throughout Erie County. Our experience in conducting this survey suggests that collecting information on the drug use behaviors of adolescents at the local level is both feasible and worthwhile.