Alcohol use and academic status among Mexican American and white non-Hispanic adolescents

In this study, Mexican American and White non-Hispanic school dropouts and students in good academic standing were compared on their use of alcohol. R esults indicated that dropouts were at higher risk for alcohol use and misu se. Dropouts were 2.53 times more likely to report frequent alcohol use, 3. 16 times more likely to classify themselves as heavy drinkers, and 3.00 tim es more likely to report frequent drunkenness when compared with their in-s chool counterparts. Gender, but not ethnicity, was also associated with alc ohol use and misuse. The implications regarding greater risk of alcohol use and misuse among dropouts are discussed in terms of prevalence and prevent ion.