Background: The opioid epidemic has created unprecedented challenges in the United States (US), including hundreds of thousands of lives lost to overdose in the past five years. Expansion of prevention and treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is urgently needed, as evidence-based strategies exist but many remain unable to access life-saving…

Objective: To review the research on economic and systemic barriers faced by adolescents needing treatment for alcohol and drug problems, particularly those with co-occurring conditions. Method: We reviewed the literature on adolescent access to alcohol and drug services, including early intervention, and integrated and specialty mental health…

Five agencies of the Public Health Service (PHS) joined with PHS Hispanic employees and other Hispanic health specialists to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Week by critically examining health issues of particular relevance to Hispanics. The first day the forum sought to define, from an Hispanic perspective, issues relating to health statistics,…

Problem drinking occurs on college campuses. Attempts at early case finding by health professionals may prove valuable as a form of secondary prevention of a potentially serious illness, alcoholism. Early awareness of alcohol-related problems can lead to early referral for diagnosis and treatment. (CJ)

This publication summarizes recent research on adolescent drug abuse and its prevention. The research reviewed here illustrates the complexity of adolescent drug abuse and its prevention, particularly the many variables that may affect outcomes. In subject matter, the 12 studies reviewed in this initial update, all published in 1988, can be…

This TIP on the best practice guidelines for treatment of substance abuse provides basic knowledge for practitioners, educators, and paraprofessionals about the nature and treatment of stimulant use disorders. More specifically, it reviews what is currently known about treating the medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse/dependence problems…

Data on alcohol use by college students is used to consider whether or not alcohol represents a problem for students and institutions of higher education. New ways of defining what constitutes an alcohol problem as well as ways of remedying and preventing the problem are discussed. (JN)

Fourteen brief articles provide information about health threats to children, covering alcohol and drug abuse, nutrition, arthritis, Lyme Disease, Reye's Syndrome, school bus safety, inner ear disorders, dental health, and toy safety. (CB)

Synthesizes available literature that addresses: (1) utilization patterns of alcohol-related services by Mexican Americans; (2) existing therapeutic approaches which take into account cultural factors; and (3) existing approaches to alcohol abuse education and prevention for this population. Discusses research needs and the need for…

A literature review reveals that homeless adolescents are at extremely high risk for acquiring HIV infection. Sexual and drug use behaviors that put these adolescents at risk are described. New models of social, health, and mental health services for these youth are outlined. (GLR)

While scholars are not in accord on the basic causes of contemporary drug abuse among minority Americans, most do agree that the social milieu of the drug abuser is fundamental. It has been urged that racism, poverty, police brutality and harrassment, the economics of addiction, the hopelessness of ghetto life, peer pressure, educational…

Although rural Texas residents have some access to medical care, it is often limited by poverty, lack of health insurance or coverage under public programs, cultural barriers, racial discrimination, and limited education. It is inaccurate to say that rural residents receive health care if health is defined in terms of environmental, physical,…

A review was made of federal activity in school health promotion for the purpose of sharing information to use effectively existing federal activity, to prevent duplication of effort, and to increase interagency cooperation. Surveyed agencies submitted a statement regarding their missions in school health promotion and provided a list of current…

This compendium compiles in one volume brief descriptions of federally-supported data collection programs that provide national statistical information on children and their families. As a review of the data indicates, statistics on children vary greatly in availability, quality, adequacy of population coverage, geographic scope and detail, and…

This chapter reviews school-based drug abuse prevention curricula. Drawing on the most current research, the chapter identifies key elements of effective prevention curricula, noting that programs should (1) reflect proven prevention theory and research; (2) provide developmentally appropriate information about tobacco, alcohol and drugs; (3) use…