Substance abuse differences among students receiving special education school services.

Social fragility is used as a context for explaining reported substance abuse differences between disabled children and youth receiving special education school services. Characteristics of severely behaviorally handicapped, specific learning disabled and developmentally handicapped are summarized. Reported use of cigarettes and other drugs are summarized for elementary, junior high and high school students. Differences in patterns of use between special education populations at each level of schooling and regular education students are identified and explored. Differences are interpreted in terms of social attachment and cognitive functioning issues.