Kindergarten children's knowledge and perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, andother drugs

Kindergarten children's knowledge and perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATODs) were assessed and the congruence between parent ATOD us e and children's knowledge of ATODs was examined. Data were collected durin g the preintervention phase of an ATOD prevention trial with 5- and 6-year- old children and their parents. Three elementary schools were randomly sele cted from a population of 15 high-risk elementary schools in Lexington Ky., (n = 126 parent-child dyads). Children were interviewed about their knowle dge, feelings, and attitudes toward ATODs using the Child Drug Awareness In ventory. Parents self-reported ATOD use. Almost all (95%) kindergarten chil dren recognized cigarettes; 56% correctly identified alcoholic beverages; a nd 17% recognized at least one illicit drug. Minority children were almost four times more likely to recognize illicit drugs than were non-minority ch ildren. Children's knowledge of ATODs was not correlated with the parents' reported drug rue. ATOD prevention programs for young children merit greate r emphasis.