Urban pre-adolescents report perceptions of easy access to drugs and weapons

The objectives of this study were to explore sources of drugs (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana) and weapons (knives/razors, firearms) for a group of pre-adolescents living in disadvantages neighborhoods in Chicago. Two methods were used: a focus group and a self-administered survey implemented in classrooms. At least one-third of this sample of fifth grade students responded that it was easy for people their age to obtain each of the products. Across products, family members were the least likely source of products and neighborhood sources were the most likely sources perceived to be easy.