This commentary highlights indigenous public health research from a special issue of the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction dealing with child maltreatment, mental health, substance abuse and gambling. We focus on the emerging and growing research movement in Indigenous research through three important themes: 1) worldview and…

Clarifies policy options for reporting and serving children testing positive at birth for controlled substances. Advocates the strengthening of existing state policies regarding child abuse reporting and response. (JPB)

Coohey's (2006) valuable research demonstrates that Child Protective Service (CPS) investigators use generally consistent criteria in determining when to charge a non-offending mother for failing to protect a child from sexual abuse. She concludes that the most reliable predictor that a formal charge of child neglect will be filed against a mother…

Examines the long-term sequelae of childhood sexual abuse in six areas: posttraumatic stress, cognitive distortions, altered emotionality, disturbed relatedness, avoidance, and impaired self-reference. Concludes that childhood sexual abuse has a variety of long-term impacts and that the measurement strategies used to demonstrate these sequelae…

This paper discusses the connection between the characteristics of childhood abuse survivors (chronic depression, revictimization, sexual compulsivity, substance abuse, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) high-risk behaviors); examines the clinical implications of these connections; and outlines recommendations based on a case study, such as…

Describes two ways in which substance abuse is related to violence: trade in drugs and being under the influence of drugs. The paper argues that reducing the demand for drugs by eliminating the market for them will bring about a reciprocal reduction in substance abuse-related violence. (GR)

This paper offers profiles of females with behavioral/emotional disorders and suggests that these young women have unique needs. The paper discusses selected characteristics and assessment considerations and offers recommendations that will facilitate more responsive social, correctional, and educational programming. Characteristics of these young…

The lack of agreement on the nature and extent of the problem of prenatal exposure to substances is discussed. Comprehensive coordination of services is called for. The 14 programs in the Los Angeles County Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) are discussed. (GH)

Discusses the effect that fetal exposure to cocaine and other drugs is having on infants and small children. Disputes the most widely cited estimate of the numbers of crack babies. Calls for restructuring foster care, group home placement, adoption, and general social welfare provision. Termination of parental rights is difficult but probably…

Judy Gobert (Blackfeet/Salish) struggled with racism and sexual abuse in childhood and with substance abuse and family violence in adulthood. Traditional spirituality, belief in education, and support groups have helped her to heal herself and create a better life for her children and herself. Describes her doctoral research on drug-resistant…

This compilation presents edited manuscripts of presentations from a community education conference held in Illinois. Summaries are provided for the following presentations: (1) "Leadership for Diversity," by Theodore L. Gross, outlining classroom goals to lead students out of prejudice; (2) "Building Coalitions," by Pat Kaye Edwards, reviewing…

The Missouri Children's Services Commission was created in 1983 to address children's needs through coordinated efforts. The commission has published this document with three purposes: (1) to present an outcome-oriented vision for Missouri's young people; (2) to summarize the broad range of conditions that affect the passage from childhood to…

Addresses the issue of drug-exposed infants from the perspective of a reproductive rights attorney. States genuinely interested in promoting healthy children will stop ignoring women or treating them as potential child abusers and will change the current punitive legal focus to a focus on treatment. (SLD)

There are 3.2 million children in the United States living with their grandparents or other kin, a 40 percent increase since 1980. This exploding sociological trend with far-reaching implications for our future spans every segment of our society--rich and poor, black and white, Asian and Hispanic, urban and suburban. Based on interviews with…

Although Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 percent among states on several key indicators of child well-being, the state's growing incidence of child maltreatment is stark and confounding. This report launches a state call to action aimed at ending child maltreatment through revising and strengthening systems to protect children, providing support…