This study examined the relationship between the individual's purpose in life, existential anxiety, powerlessness and use of alcohol/drugs and the tendency to be sexually promiscuous. The study is rooted in the work of Viktor E. Frankl, which suggested that a lack of meaning and purpose can cause socially deviant behavior and psychological…

This document describes the Glendale Unified School District's (California) comprehensive drug, alcohol, and tobacco education program. The program is based on three components: (1) a sequential outcome-based curriculum that provides students with knowledge about substance abuse and peer-resistant skills; (2) a strong message that the possession,…

This study investigates the interaction of religious and quasi-religious variables through measures of psychopathology and alcohol and drug abuse in a sample of homeless subjects. Participants included 25 males and 14 females with potential dual diagnoses who lacked, or were in danger of being without, appropriate housing. Researchers administered…

Adolescent offspring of alcoholics have been found to have higher alcohol reinforcement expectancies than do teenagers from nonalcoholic families. In particular, those with a positive family history of alcoholism expect more cognitive and motor enhancement with alcohol consumption. This study examined the alcohol expectancies of 58 matched pairs…

Changing alcohol and drug use patterns among women and ethnic minorities, such as the over-representation of Hispanics in alcohol-related deaths, drunk driving arrests, and treatment facilities, emphasize the importance of understanding substance use patterns in these populations. This study attempted to identify a single cause of substance abuse…

Drug and alcohol abuse remains one of the most serious problems facing our society today. This study proposed that expected consequences of resisting peer pressure to drink alcohol may be important influences on actual drinking behavior and focused on describing these expectations. Sixth-graders (N=70) were presented with a hypothetical dilemma…

The purpose of these studies was to develop and test versions of a psychosocial theoretical model that would have implications for the development of adolescent alcohol misuse prevention strategies. In the first study which was part of a test of a school-based refusal skills prevention program, the theoretical model consisted of the latent…

This transcript of a conference presentation describes a motivational model of alcohol use that shows the interrelationship between the various factors that affect drinking. First, a flow diagram is presented and described that shows how complex biological, psychological, and environmental variables contribute to a person's motivation for…

The purpose of this project was to develop a culturally relevant collaborative model focussing on early screening and intervention for Navajo children prenatal exposure to alcohol. A review of the long-term consequences of maternal drinking is presented, and prevalence statistics for American Indian groups are reviewed. Collaboration between a…

This report explores the effects of "DARE To Resist Drugs and Violence" program on students' knowledge regarding drugs and alcohol and their attitudes toward authority figures (i.e., teachers and law enforcement officers) involved in the program. Project DARE was presented in 10 consecutive lessons (two days per week for five weeks) to…

The five speeches in this collection all address issues concerned with freedom and responsibility in American education, especially higher education. The first speech, "Freedom, Coercion, and Authority" is by Robert N. Bellah. Bellah argues that freedom must be balanced not only by responsibility but by authority, and urges universities not to…

This article examines community-school alliances in three rural South Dakota schools that aim to help at-risk students. Takini School is located on the Cheyenne River Reservation and serves the Lakota Sioux Indians. The area has high unemployment rates, high dropout rates, and high alcohol and drug abuse rates. The school's alcohol and drug…

This study examined patterns of alcohol consumption by students in a rural Texas high school. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with students, teachers, and parents. Discussions were conducted and taped during a planned "Alcohol Awareness Week." Teacher and parent responses were sought to questions directed at their feelings…

A review of the assessment literature on substance abuse has revealed 27 separate instruments for assessing substance abuse. These include 22 alcohol instruments and five instruments for assessing other drug abuse. The instruments are listed in a table that provides the title, source, description, population, and psychometric properties of each…

Recently drinking-related deaths on college campuses have received wide media attention, prompting administrators to explore new ways of dealing with this problem. This study, conducted at Manhattan College (New York), focuses on exploring student perceptions about appropriate drinking behavior. Information was collected from a sample population…