DRUG USE LINKED TO SINGLE-FATHER HOMES

Sixth-to 12th-graders who live in single-father homes are more likely than
others to use drugs, according to a survey released Thursday.

The survey, done by a division of an Atlanta-based anti-drug organization,
also found that high schoolers' use of such drugs as heroin, Ecstasy and
marijuana increased -- reversing a three-year decline in overall drug use.
Meanwhile, cigarette and alcohol use dropped to a 13-year low.

The survey was conducted at schools that used PRIDE Surveys -- an arm of
the Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education -- to question students
during the 2000-2001 academic year. More than 75,000 students nationwide
answered questionnaires anonymously.

Officials said the 14th annual survey was the first to break down numbers
to look at children who live with their mothers only, fathers only and
stepparents.

The survey found that 38.4 percent of students who lived with their fathers
only said they used drugs. The percentages for other family structures
were: father and stepmother, 31.9 percent; mother and stepfather, 29.8
percent; mother only, 28.3 percent; and both parents, 20.4 percent.