Schools can be places where young people are offered or can purchase illegal drugs. The availability of drugs on school property is a disruptive and corrupting influence in the school environment.

• In 1995 and 1997, almost one-third of all students in grades 9 through 12 (32 percent) reported that someone had offered, sold, or given them an illegal drug on school property (figure 20.1 and table 20.1). This was an increase from 1993 when 24 percent of such students reported that illegal drugs were available to them on school property.
• The percentages of both males and females reporting that illegal drugs were made available to them on school property increased between 1993 and 1995. However, in each survey year, males were more likely than females to report that drugs were offered, sold, or given to them on school property. For example, in 1997, 37 percent of males reported the availability of drugs, while 25 percent of females did so.
• Students' grade level in school did not appear to be associated with whether they had been offered, sold, or given drugs on school property (figure 20.2 and table 20.1). Generally, in each survey year, about the same percentage of students in each grade level reported the availability of illegal drugs.
• The racial/ethnic background of students was associated with whether they reported having illegal drugs offered, sold, or given to them on school property (figure 20.3 and table 20.1). In general, Hispanics were more likely than students from other racial/ethnic groups to report having drugs available to them on school property.