Much information about drug abuse and other controversial social problems comes from sources other than radio, television, or the press. In addition to private and government agencies that provide "walk-in" services and responses to correspondence, there are special telephone hotline services that give information on topics such as drugs and psychological problems. Other sources of drug-related information are friends, relatives, doctors, and other professionals. A test sample composed of 407 University of Connecticut students, was polled to determine students' habits of seeking information about drug abuse. The resulting data indicated: (1) that friends provide initial awareness about effects of marijuana and amphetamines, but the mass media account for great awareness about other drugs; (2) that information seekers prefer friends and professional sources over government agencies; (3) that friends are the single most popular source of information about marijuana, but professional and quasi-professional sources are preferred for information about other drugs; and (4) that friends are the most convenient source of drug abuse information. (RN)

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