Objective: To assess the use of alcohol screening tools across US colleges. Participants: Directors of health services at 333 four-year colleges. Methods: An online survey was conducted regarding the use of alcohol screening tools. Schools reporting use of formal tools were further described in terms of 4 tools (AUDIT, CUGE, CAPS, and RAPS) that…

With suicide being the third leading cause of death among young people, early identification of risk is critical, particularly for those involved with the juvenile courts. In this study of court-involved youth (N = 433) in two Midwest counties, logistic regression analysis identified some expected and unexpected findings of important demographic,…

Calls divided undervalued treatment approaches of alcoholism/substance abuse a major anomaly in the American health care system. Presents American Psychological Association policy statement on alcoholism and other drug abuse adopted in February 1992. Includes discussion of overall policy and policies pertaining to prevention; assessment,…

Reviews available statistics regarding drug and alcohol abuse among Blacks and compares these data to those for Whites. Discusses the negative effects of substance abuse on the Black community and argues that the overall poorer health status of Black Americans is due in part to discriminatory conditions. (GC)

Indians have the lowest life expectancy of any group in the US; the general state of Indian health lags 25 years behind the rest of the population. Article discusses problems of health delivery systems, alternative approaches to health care, and some of the most pressing health problems. (DS)

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (2001), 14 million U.S. adults abuse alcohol and several million more are at risk of developing alcohol problems because of their drinking behaviors. Heavy drinking increases the risk of serious health problems, with the economic cost of problem drinking estimated to be…

Describes a system of care and clinical issues central to service delivery to adolescents with alcohol/drug problems. Recognizes the importance of adolescence as a developmental period and its implications for treatment. Develops criteria to distinguish the most appropriate level of care for the adolescent's presenting clinical condition. (CMG)

Male patients in an alcohol detoxification unit were measured to determine whether the method of acquiring symptoms and sex of the experimenter affected the number and severity of symptoms elicited. Results indicated there was a significant difference betwen method 1 (nondirective) and method 2 (leading). (Author/ABB)

Studies changes in the physical and social composition of Skid Row. Results indicate multiple agency users were found to have a greater alcohol problem and to be more socially isolated than nonagency users. Multiple agency users were very much in need of subsistence level support and health maintenance. (Author)

Surveyed perceptions of the causes, severity, and treatment of elderly substance abuse as reported by 30 drug-abuse, health care, and social service practitioners. Perceptions differed as a function of both the basic type of services an agency provided and its specific response to older abusers. (Author)

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)

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…

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with 4 clusters of obstacles (self-reliance, privacy issues, quality of care, and communication and trust) to mental health and substance abuse treatment in 3 treatment sectors for residents of 3 reservations in the United States. Participants (N = 3,084) disclosed whether they had…