RESUMO
The need for drug abuse prevention among susceptible youth has become critical. This study examines the possible role a Christian youth group may be playing in drug abuse prevention among its members. To do this, a comparision was made between 160 members of the Jamaica Youth for Christ (JYFC) organisation and an equal number of participants (the control group) from a national household survey on drug abuse done in Jamaica in 1987, with regards to their attitudes and practices concerning the use and abuse of various substances, and their involvement in certain social activities. The instrument used was a self-administered, modified version of the questionnaire used in the national survey. JYFC participants indicated that except for tobacco, their past usage of the more commonly used drugs was greater. Current usage however was greater among the control group. More JYFC users therefore, discontinued their use of drugs. They were also more socially involved. Further study was recommended, to confirm any positive infleunce JYFC may have had which could be used in drug abuse prevention (AU)
