Meth use and attitudes of freshmen at a West Texas college

Date

2007-05

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore methamphetamine use, attitudes, and availability in West Texas, where according to some public officials, it is an epidemic. In order to determine the drug's availability, teen drug use, and attitudes toward the drug, this research implemented both quantitative and qualitative research methods. A recovering meth addict, his mother, and a leadership official with the Texas Department of Public Safety were interviewed for the qualitative portion of the research; first year students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University were surveyed for the quantitative study.

Results from the qualitative research and the literature review did not correlate with the student survey. While those interviewed confirmed a significant meth problem and a lack of meth education in West Texas, the students that answered the survey did not consider meth to be a problem in their hometowns, they were aware of the risks of the drug, and for the most part, they did not associate with people who use meth. Although qualitative and quantitative data did not correspond, valuable data were discovered to assist in developing drug education curriculum for agricultural education teachers and rural high schools

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Keywords

Attitudes toward meth, Drug campaigns

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