Drug and risk perception on ninth-grade students: sex differences and similarities.

Sixty-two secondary school students were observed in their classrooms over 5 weeks of intensive drug information for within-group changes in their perceptions. "Peer pressure" and "kicks" were cited as reasons for starting and using drugs; but peer pressure had relatively greater strength for girls than for boys, and curiosity increased for girls. Boys and girls differed in reasons for stopping drugs (peer and professional help for girls, and punishment for boys). In rating the relative dangers and pleasures of marijuana and heroin, most students did not discriminate effectively between the two drugs, although ratings of marijuana dangers decreased. Unexpectedly, responses concerning the health hazards of heroin did not increase. In a situation simulating risk under peer pressure, boys chose targets as appropriate for their skill as did the girls.