A multimedia game was designed to serve as a dual-purpose intervention that aligned with National Science Content Standards, while also conveying knowledge about the consequences of alcohol consumption for a secondary school audience. A tertiary goal was to positively impact adolescents' attitudes toward science through career role-play…

In this research study of 153 college-bound students, perceived sexual benefits of alcohol use were associated with greater drinking and related consequences during the senior year of high school and freshman year of college. Perceived benefits predicted drinking outcomes during fall after adjustment for gender, sensation seeking, parental…

The first Celebrate Safely Youth Forum was conducted by a collection of agencies on the Central Coast of NSW in 2009. Attended by almost 100 young people from local high schools, this forum engaged young people from the perspective that the majority of them do not consume alcohol at harmful levels. In addition to providing important safety…

Student volunteers (N=190) from a suburban Detroit high school population completed an instrument measuring student, parent, psychological, and social factors in relation to substance use and abuse. Analysis of data revealed that alcohol was the most widely used substance among the students, followed by cigarettes and marijuana, in that order.…

Examined patterns of drug use among southern, metropolitan, middle to upper-middle class high school students (n=240). Found that alcohol use was much more prevalent than was marijuana use. There was little evidence that many students had ever used cocaine in any form, depressants, phencyclidine (PCP), or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).(NB)

Briefly described is a theory of reckless behavior in adolescence that includes cognitive and biological factors. Discussion focuses on several factors: the adolescent's egocentric personal fable--the adolescent conviction that his/her thoughts and feelings are unique, the personality trait of sensation seeking, the fact that by their late 20s or…

Study examines differences in adolescents' use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs by racial and ethnic groups. Results show significant differences by racial and ethnic groups, and indicate that these differences have changed over time. Future research should examine these differences and seek to identify the sources and consequences of the…

Examined adolescent (n=1,900) alcohol use. Found that subjects (n=454) who dropped out of study consumed alcoholic beverages at rates higher than those found among matched subjects. Found significant differences between dropouts and matched subjects in sociodemographic background. In spite of differences in alcohol consumption, sensation seeking,…

This document summarizes the rapidly growing body of knowledge about initiation of drug use and about how to stop it, especially for youth from high-risk environments. Sections 1 outlines the nature of alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems in the United States today, focusing on young people and the vulnerable years for starting AOD use, ages 12…

Explored whether drinking among high school students (n=499) was related more to factors "unchangeable" versus "changeable" by school-based intervention. Found that drinking varied with different types of "unchangeable" and "changeable" factors for male and female students. Levels of drinking among males…

This report presents the analysis of a descriptive study of adolescents (n=590) at four Washington high schools who were assessed for substance abuse. Areas of concentration in evaluating referral processes are as follows: (1) general information regarding communication between school staff and Consultation Programs; process within the school to a…

Alcohol use among urban youth has been regularly surveyed, but assessment of rural residents is rare. Information about factors associated with attitudes toward drinking could be especially useful to school counselors. This study used questionnaires to investigate the association of attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol use with the following…

Students at alternative high schools may be at substantial risk for drug abuse. Provides an overview of the drug-use-related context of continuation high schools in southern California. A total of 144 students and 96 staff were interviewed from 20 continuation high schools. Data indicated continuation school students had high levels of substance…

Alcohol and drug use may be a significant part of the adolescent, high school experience. Programs should be based on an understanding of attitudes and patterns of use, and how change occurs. Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion is a framework with which to examine attitude change and provide a base for building sound drug prevention…

This study was designed to determine the correlates or potential risk factors which predict whether an adolescent who drinks or uses drugs will refrain from driving under the influence, or will drive in this condition. A group of 426 rural high school seniors completed a questionnaire which assessed drug use patterns and previously identified risk…