THE EFFECT OF SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES ON ESTIMATES OF ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE AMONG 3 RACIAL ETHNIC GROUPS/

Objectives. This study examined, across three racial/ethnic groups, ho w the inclusion of data on drug use of dropouts can alter estimates of adolescent drug use rates. Methods. Self-report rates of lifetime pre valence and use in the previous 30 days were obtained from Mexican Ame rican, White non-Hispanic, and Native American Students (n = 738) and dropouts (n = 774). Rates for the age cohort (students and dropouts) w ere estimated with a weighted correction formula. Results. Rates of us e reported by dropouts were 1.2 to 6.4 times higher than those reporte d by students. Corrected rates resulted in changes in relative rates o f use by different ethnic groups. Conclusions. When only in-school dat a are available, errors in estimating drug use among groups with high rates of school dropout can be substantial. Correction of student-base d data to include drug use of dropouts leads to-important changes in e stimated levels of drug use and alters estimates of the relative rates of use for racial/ethnic minority groups with high dropout rates.