The study, "The Impact of Peer Substance Use on Middle School Performance in Washington State," conducted by the University of Washington's (UW) Washington Kids Count, found that low levels of peer alcohol and other drug use was linked to lower individual test scores for middle-school students. Students whose peers had little or no involvement with drinking and illicit drugs scored on average 18 points higher on the state reading test, and 45 points higher on math, than students whose peers had low levels of drinking or illicit drug use.

Researchers looked at the effects of substance use on school performance along with the factors that indicate a higher level of alcohol and other drug use in schools. Experts examined test scores for 10,000 Washington students in 57 schools, linking responses to the state's Adolescent Health Survey to individual Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) test score results.

The study also examined the mixture of family, community and individual factors that could indicate whether the students in a school would have a greater level of substance use. They found that the most influential factors were whether students start anti-social behavior at an early age and whether the attitudes of their fellow students condone or condemn this behavior.

"This report confirms what every student, parent, and educator should already know: that kids whose peers use drugs and alcohol do worse in school," said Washington Governor Gary Locke in a press release. "Decisions about drugs or drinking, even as early as middle school, can make a difference between academic success and failure ... All of us -- policymakers, educators, parents and citizens -- must focus on early risk indicators as we work to assure a better future for our children."

Dr. Richard Brandon, director of the U.W.'s Washington Kids Count project, said the findings show that peer drinking and drug use critically affect whether students will meet new state education standards, and will help policymakers target schools that are most likely to have a high level of substance use.

"Since this study focused on middle schools with students 12-14 years of age, finding this large an impact is dramatic," said Brandon. "We expect the effect to be even greater in high schools, where drinking and drug use are heavier, and affect many more students."

A follow-up study of high school students is planned in the next few months.

A copy of The Impact of Substance Use on Middle School Performance in Washington State report is available online or by calling Washington Kids Count at 206-685-7613.   

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