Surveyed 40 adolescent inpatients concerning peer influences, substance abuse, and treatment. Found that misconduct, including substance abuse, was predicted best by perceived peer pressure toward misconduct, low opinions of value of treatment by disposition to conform to antisocial peers, and sense of stigma associated with being treated by…

Surveyed 45 counselors from 29 drug treatment programs to examine how they perform their role and functions. Results indicated that superior counselors are likely to be actively involved in programming on behalf of their clients, with important differences in the issues raised in counseling sessions. (JAC)

Proposes a psychoeducational model of intervention for use with drug abusers. Claims that the model may be particularly helpful during the early stages of intervention in reducing resistance to change since it addresses the eight thinking styles believed to shield the drug "lifestyle" from forces that would otherwise lead to change. (RJM)

Presents second part of two-part series reviewing the published literature of smokeless tobacco in the United States. Explores smokeless tobacco as a pharmacologically addicting substance, discusses educational interventions designed to prevent use or help users quit, and outlines areas of future research. (Author)

Harm reduction, a new model in the field of drug education, recognizes that people have always and always will use drugs. The new strategy attempts to minimize the potential hazards associated with drug use rather than the use itself. The rationale is presented as well as an example of needs assessment. (Author/JPS)

Surveyed 141 substance abusers who had 11 or more months of continuous abstinence and who first sought treatment in adolescence. Getting high for the first time at a younger age and polydrug use were significantly correlated with more relapses and less overall sobriety. There were five times more adoptees represented in the sample than would be…

Reports results of a questionnaire administered to participants in an antagonist drug outpatient clinic and an antagonist drug work-release program to obtain awareness of acceptance of the program participants. Naltrexone patients recommended an alternative method of administering the drug and changing the money system to award deserving inmates…

Findings show a relationship between counselor background and treatment techniques but no relationship between counselor background and outcome. (Author)

Describes California Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) education programs for intravenous drug users (IVDUs). Presents types of educational interventions, both for IVDUs in treatment and those not in treatment. Concludes the state is making a good effort to reach IVDUs, but programs must move toward assessment of attitudes that impede…

Describes treatment program at Charter Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, which incorporates comprehensive medical examination, fitness and nutritional screenings, and appropriate exercise activities into alcohol and other substance abuse treatment. Notes that educational sessions are offered on health fitness, risk reduction, stress management,…

Presents data on methamphetamine use in the United States and the economic and social pressures that may partially explain expanded methamphetamine use. Recommends a policy response that utilizes a public health approach, including prevention campaigns, harm-reduction outreach and treatment approaches, and pharmacologic and abstinence-based drug…

Evaluated perceptions of treatment environments within the Comprehensive Drug Program of Dade County (Miami) Florida. Analysis revealed that perceptions of drug clients toward their treatment environments were more positive than those of clients in other types of medical and psychiatric treatment. Perceptions varied directly with contact between…

Examines the use of focus group interviews in understanding staff perceptions of training to work with drug users in the Therapeutic Community model. Discusses methodological issues relevant to the use of focus groups and the individual responses to the training program and the content and structure of the training program are also discussed.…

Studied dual participants (N=2,525), multiple offender drinking driver program participants who also attend non-drinking driver alcohol treatment programs. Findings support need for drinking driver programs to be aware of high risk dual participants and for alcohol-related treatment programs to provide drinking and driving education to all dual…

Adolescents (n=74) in schools, community, or hospital drug intervention programs received eight- to nine-week structured fitness activity class as part of programs. Subjects who improved in fitness tests also demonstrated significant increase in self-concept risk factor and significant decrease in anxiety and depression risk factors compared to…