by Partnership for a Drug-Free America

About the author: Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a drug prevention organization in New York City.

More 9- to 12-year-olds are using drugs and more are growing increasingly tolerant toward drug use, according to a study released March 4, 1997, by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA). The study reveals that these children—who are just in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades—are receiving significantly less information about the dangers of drugs.

“Our new national research reveals for the first time that younger children are emulating the attitudes and behavior of their older peers, only at the worst possible time,” said Richard D. Bonnette, president and CEO of the Partnership. “This is particularly significant because these children—most of whom don’t use drugs...