Poster #168 - Perception as a Pathway: Adolescent Attitudes of Substance Use and the Accessibility of Illicit Substances

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the risks of drug use, as early exposure can disrupt development and increase the risk of long-term dependence. While much research has examined youth access to alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, less is known about how adolescents perceive the accessibility of illicit substances and how their attitudes influence these perceptions. This study analyzed data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to explore the relationship between adolescents' attitudes toward age-restricted substances (cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol) and their perceived ease of access to illicit drugs (LSD, cocaine, crack, and heroin). A multiple linear regression was conducted using demographic and attitudinal variables as predictors. Findings show that permissive attitudes toward habitual use of cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol are significantly linked to greater perceived accessibility of illicit drugs. This suggests that normalization of legal substance use may influence beliefs about the availability of more dangerous substances, potentially raising the risk of experimentation. These results highlight the need for prevention efforts that address adolescent attitudes toward substance use. Future research should incorporate environmental, contextual, and social factors to strengthen explanatory models and support more effective interventions.

Author

• Abby Williamson, University of Central Florida