Young girls report less difficulty in getting drugs than young boys. The biggest gain in ease of access is between sixth and eighth graders. Acknowledgement of the harmfulness of drugs is generally high except for alcohol. Boys belief in the harmfulness of drugs is weaker in the 10 th and 12 th grades while girls' attitudes hold steady or become more pervasive. Excluding alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is the illegal drug most likely to be used by Siouxland youth.
Alcohol use begins at an early age.
Exposure to other teens using drugs or alcohol increases greatly with age. Students are more likely to use alcohol or other drugs at a friend's house in the evening. Engaging in high-risk behavior associated with alcohol and other drug use is common.