Substance Abuse in Student Athletes
This study was conducted by the NCAA research staff. Findings conclude that the use of amphetamines by college athletes has increased since 1993 but the use of steroids has decreased in this time period. Also, studies show the consumption of alcohol has fallen since 1993 in college athletes but the use of marijuana has increased.
Data was collected through random samples. Of the 991 institutions surveyed, 637 surveys could be used. A total of 13,914 surveys were received from student athletes and of those, 44% were of NCAA Division I institutions. Faculty representatives were instructed to give the survey to all members of a particular team on the same occasion.
The questionnaire was modeled after one given in a past study and included 160 variables (variables not given in article) modeled after the 12 following questions:
1) Attitudes about drug use among student athletes
2) Attitudes and beliefs about the drug use patterns and effects of drug use among teammates, friends, and self
3) Attitudes about drug testing
4) Specific questions relating to anabolic steroid use
5) Specific questions relating to smokeless tobacco use
6) Specific questions relating to alcohol use
7) Specific questions relating to ephedrine use
8) Specific questions relating to amphetamine use
9) Specific questions relating to marijuana use
10) Specific questions relating to hallucinogen use
11) Specific questions relating to cocaine use
12) Information about sport participation and academic performance
Citation:
NCAA Research Staff, "NCAA Study of Substance Use and Abuse Habits of College-Student Athletes", Sept. 1997
*For more information on this particular study click here.