DENOMINATIONAL AND SECTARIAN INFLUENCE ON ADOLESCENT ATTITUDE TOWARDSDRUG-USE IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Data are analyzed from a sample of 16, 734 13-15 year olds attending t he year nine and year ten classes of secondary schools in England and Wales. Students completed a questionnaire concerned with attitudes tow ards the use of alcohol, butane gas, glue, heroin, marijuana, and toba cco, together with indices of religious affiliation and practice. Thes e data demonstrated that denominational and sectarian identity continu e to exert a significant influence on adolescent attitudes towards dru g use, but this influence is only realty effective among practicing me mbers rather than among nominal members.