The variety of experiences of African American adolescents is still misunderstood and neglected. Empirical and lay reports consistently report that drug use is rampant within African American communities despite the fact that national statistics show that African Americans engage in substance use less than their White counterparts. Thus, the…

Uses data from three national samples of youth to study weapon carrying in school. Analysis of odds ratios finds the following factors associated with increased likelihood of weapons carrying in school: (1) youth engaged in violence in the community; (2) drug abuse; and (3) community-related factors. (SLD)