Amelia M. Arria, PhD¹, Kevin E. O'Grady, PhD², Dawn B. Fitzelle, MSW¹, Tom Gray, MA¹, Kyle Abbattista², and Eric D. Wish, PhD¹. (1) Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), University of Maryland, College Park, 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 501, College Park, MD 20740, 301-405-9795, aarria@cesar.umd.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 1147 Biology/Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20740

Few studies have examined the risk factors for illicit drug use in college students. This cross-sectional study from the College Life Study examined the association between high school extracurricular activity involvement and illicit drug use (in particular, ecstasy use) in a sample of college students attending a large mid-Atlantic university. Using a classroom-administered survey, 486 college students (246 males, 240 females) ages 18-25 indicated their level of participation in seven activities: athletics, exercise, school publications, volunteering, arts, paid work, and other clubs/groups (e.g., student government, scouting, etc.). Participation level was rated as either none, irregular or regular, and analyzed as a two-level variable: none or irregular/regular. Three drug-using subgroups were compared: 1)"low risk" (no marijuana or ecstasy use), 2) "high-risk" (marijuana use, but not ecstasy) and, 3) ecstasy users, regardless of other drugs. Multinomial logistic regression models, adjusting for age, race, sex, and financial aid status, were developed that estimated the strength of the association between each of the seven extracurricular activities and drug use. High school participation in athletics, volunteer activities, and other clubs/groups were all significantly related to a reduced risk of being in the ecstasy-using group as compared to the non-drug using group. For example, ecstasy users were more likely not to participate in athletics than their non-drug using peers (OR = 2.27; 95% C.I. = 1.04-4.93). These results lend evidence that specific types of extracurricular activities are possibly related to reduced risk for drug use. These findings have important implications for designing effective prevention initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the complexities of the relationship between extracurricular activity involvement and risk for youth substance abuse
• Articulate possible prevention approaches that incorporate research data about extracurricular activity involvement.

Keywords: Drug Use, Adolescents

Related Web page: www.cesar.umd.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.