READING ABILITIES OF DRUG-USERS IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Evaluated the reading abilities of 122 male and fifty-nine female intr avenous and other drug users in Anchorage, Alaska. Reading abilities w ere assessed through the Reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised and the short Form of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test- Revised. Results indicated that men and Black subjects reported the hi ghest levels of schooling completed. However, no differences were reve aled across gender and ethnicity in actual reading levels. Among all s ubjects, the average reading ability was between 8.5 and 8.7 grade lev el. These scores place the average subject reading at a level lower th an approximately 76 percent of the general population. Implications ar e provided for development of educational materials accessible for thi s population.