Identified teacher characteristics and competencies perceived beneficial for preventing substance use among students. Integrated qualities into questionnaire and administered to 65 individuals with expertise in substance use prevention/intervention field. Found Teacher-Student Relations was most important aspect of teacher comportment, followed by…

Surveyed college freshmen revealed similarities between college and high school drug use. Entering freshmen established friendships akin to high school relationships in which drugs and alcohol were used. Therefore, alcohol and drug use may be important determining factors in choosing new college friends. College orientation could help students…

Performed meta-analysis upon eight California school-based risk reduction programs designed to deter fourth through eighth grade students from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Found that information-focused interventions had more impact upon knowledge but less upon attitudes and behavior whereas alternative interventions had less…

Examined association between risk factors and alcohol use among young rural adolescents (n=463). Found family relations, family structure, marks in school, participation in academic activities, frequency of church attendance, and deviant behavior significantly associated with alcohol use two years later. No gender or age differences were found in…

Previous research indicates that brief motivational interventions for college student drinkers may be less effective in group settings than individual settings. Social psychological theories about counterproductive group dynamics may partially explain this finding. The present study examined potential problems with group motivational interventions…

This study examines the association of demographic, psychological, and environmental characteristics of a sample of low socioeconomic status, Mexican American students and their reported use of nine substances. Results indicate that a specific combination of variables predicted both minor and major substances used. The authors offer suggestions…

Examines the efficacy of alcohol education programs. This study (N=83) found that recency of exposure to alcohol education classes and discussion of alcohol advertising in those classes predicts adolescent cognitive resistance (counterarguing) to persuasive alcohol advertising for months or even years. Suggests greater attention to critical…

Determines the level of drug and alcohol involvement of 369 middle and high school students and examines the effectiveness of early intervention. Results of the study underscore the frequency and seriousness of drug use, the need for more prevention efforts in elementary and middle schools, and additional treatment programs for high school…

Evaluated effectiveness of provincewide chemical abuse prevention education program for elementary grades with 2,092 students and 500 teachers. Found students had high initial knowledge level, certain students showed significant knowledge gains, program was most effective with low knowledge base students, program was in use in 20 percent to 30…

Posits a multidimensional measurement theory of adolescent drug involvement and tests its measurement properties as captured in the Drug Involvement Scale for Adolescents (DISA). Results attest to the reliability, validity, and brevity (22 indicators constructed from 29 items) of this composite index. Recommends further validation of the DISA.…