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…

This article identifies the potential affect of alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) on people who are blind or visually impaired, the barriers to providing effective AODA services for those people, and strategies for improving services for people with coexisting blindness or visual impairments and AODA. (Contains references.) (CR)

A two-part study involving qualitative research in the form of focus groups and a quantitative telephone survey examined the extent of drug and alcohol use by school-age children and the behaviors and attitudes surrounding it. Results indicate that Wisconsin parents are comfortable with alcohol use, considering it a part of their culture, although…

Surveyed over 900 students in the rural northwest in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 for alcohol and drug use. Measures self-reported usage of seventeen substances. The descriptive statistical results are reported by gender as well as grade-level usage rates. Discussion includes targeting drug prevention programs for specific grade and gender levels based…

Investigated health behaviors practiced by 10th graders in Bogota, Colombia. Data from a modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that there was a high use of gateway substances (tobacco and alcohol) among respondents, but lower usage, when compared to U.S. students, of other mind-altering substances such as marijuana,…

This survey examined the behaviors associated with the six leading causes of death or disability in one state's high school youth. Participants were 2,439 9th-12th grade students. Results identified alcohol as the drug most frequently used by high school students, with over half of students having used alcohol by their senior year and almost half…

The annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) tracks consumers' attitudes about illegal drugs. PATS consists of two nationally projectable samples: a teen sample for students in grades 7-12 and a parent sample. The 2002 PATS, conducted in homes and schools, collected data using self-report surveys. Results indicate that after a decade of…

Of 100 adolescents screened for drug use, 43% tested positive for drugs of abuse. Twenty-five percent of these adolescents entered treatment, with 8% requiring medical detoxification or inpatient treatment. Urine screening, when done for clinical rather than punitive purposes, appeared to facilitate entry into treatment. (RJM)

An Adolescent Study Group was established by the Michigan Department of Public Health/Center for Substance Abuse Services (MCPH/CSAS) to examine the current delivery system of substance abuse treatment services for adolescents. The primary focus was on treatment services for alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) problems among adolescents in…

Paper examines ethnic differences in licit and illicit drug use among American 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, with a particular focus on girls. Across ethnic groups, drug use is highest among Native American girls and lowest among black and Asian American girls. Trend data suggest that girls' and boys' drug use patterns are converging.…

Given the importance of monitoring the extent of tobacco, drug, and alcohol use among students in order to formulate policy and to initiate or continue appropriate prevention and intervention programs, this report profiles one state's 6th, 7th, 9th, and 12th grade students. More than 41,000 randomly selected public school and private school…

In the spring of 1996, the Nevada State Department of Education conducted its fourth biennial survey to assess drug and alcohol attitudes and use among students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. Issues of safety, violence, and school climate, as well as participation in school-based prevention programs, were also assessed. The survey results are…

Tested a multidimensional model of adolescent drug involvement on samples of high school students. Focused on five first-order dimensions: drug access, alcohol use, other drug use, drug control problems, and adverse drug use consequences. Results contributed to understanding differences and change in drug involvement among high-risk versus…

There are many issues concerning women of all ages and substance abuse. Women who abuse alcohol or other drugs are particularly at risk for sexual assault; unprotected sex; unwanted pregnancies; and sexually transmitted diseases. Females between the ages of 12 and 17 surpass males in their use of cigarettes; cocaine; crack; inhalants; and…

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…