Addiction among high school pupils in Holon (Israel) and their attitudes towards drugs: a pilot study (1993-1994).

One-hundred-and-twenty-five high school pupils aged 14-17 years had completed anonymous questionnaires dealing with smoking habits and alcohol consumption, as well as with the knowledge and attitudes towards drug addiction. Twenty-four percent of the pupils smoked regularly; the age of onset of smoking was 13.93 +/- 1.53 years. Thirty-one percent of the pupils admitted to the regular drinking of alcoholic beverages (including beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages); the age of onset of drink was 14.65 +/- 0.79 years. The pupils' knowledge concerning drugs was relatively low (scoring of 37.78 +/- 16.87 percent). Pupils in the 16-17-year age group proved to have the highest knowledge. Pupils who used to take drugs received a higher score for their knowledge than other pupils in their classes. Most pupils presented conservative attitudes towards drugs; pupils in the 16-17-year age group received the highest (most liberal) scores; higher (liberal) scores correlated with parental familial status (cohesion) (P = 0.029) and inversely correlated with the behavior marks (r = 0.294; P = 0.03). The attitude of addicted pupils (to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs) was more liberal in comparison with their peers (P < 0.003).