This article presents an interview with Frank Miller, a renowned addictions assessment authority who jointly initiated the updated Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) versions and helped establish the inventories in the addictions assessment mainstream. Among other things, Miller describes how he began working at the SASSI Institute…

Asserts that the use and abuse of drugs is prevalent in high schools and is becoming increasingly popular with much younger children, and that elementary school is the place to begin the attack on alcohol and drug abuse. Describes components of successful drug and alcohol education and prevention programs and discusses the implementation of…

Contends that adolescent and elderly populations both exhibit attitudes, behavior, feelings, and reasons for alcohol and drug abuse that appear to be similar. Suggests that study of pediatrics can play role in development of geriatric movement by sharing common issues of both groups. Applies Erikson's stages of development to illustrate similarity…

Examines whether an abuser of alcohol can eventually learn to safely manage his or her own intake. Bridging the gap between two perspectives may empower therapists to explore the use of both abstinence and controlled use as a possible means to increase overall success of alcohol treatment. (JBJ)

Coohey's (2006) valuable research demonstrates that Child Protective Service (CPS) investigators use generally consistent criteria in determining when to charge a non-offending mother for failing to protect a child from sexual abuse. She concludes that the most reliable predictor that a formal charge of child neglect will be filed against a mother…

To better serve people in a counseling relationship, it is useful to understand them not only culturally, but demographically as well. This paper traces historical, religious, demographic aspects and treatment of alcohol abuse in African Americans. Historically, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence have varied for African Americans. During the…

Conducted to evaluate the efficacy of teen counselors in school drug prevention programs, this study utilizes the following as evaluation criterion: (1) interviews with school faculty and teen counselors; (2) observations of teen counselor meetings and sessions with middle school students; and (3) documentation such as teen counselor training and…

Research indicates that children possess four important personality characteristics and abilities which define them as resilient. These characteristics and abilities are social competence, problem solving skills, autonomy, and a sense of purpose and future. In addition, several qualities of the environment of resilient youth tend to predict…

Many drug abuse prevention programs and materials, such as the "Smart Choices" newsletter for kindergartners, are developmentally inappropriate for young children. Successful preventive measures need to address the mixed messages that society itself gives to children about alcohol and other drugs and present developmentally appropriate instruction…

Argues that capturing the attention of college and university presidents regarding alcohol and other drug use requires an understanding of the presidents' public role and the relationship of prevention to the mission of an institution. Claims that leaders in student development must link prevention to their presidents' agendas. (Includes an…

Discusses several postulates of empowerment theory particularly relevant to guiding the practice and analysis of substance-abuse prevention and education programs. The empowerment model predicts that the empowerment of students and staff will increase both the effectiveness and the longevity of programs. (EMK)

The role of an alcoholic and other drug (AOD) program coordinator is described in this paper, with attention given to simplifying multiple administrative roles and responsibilities. The AOD problem is reconceptualized as a dilemma to be managed rather than solved. A comprehensive campus program is defined in terms of three elements: program…

A project was initiated at one private, liberal arts college to respond to the substance use/abuse issues on campus. As a first step in designing the project, a study was conducted to assess the nature and extent of alcohol consumption and drug use by the students. Students (N=247) completed a 10-page questionnaire addressing topics such as…

Claims that the creation of healthy campus cultures requires reexamination of the values, artifacts, symbols, and rituals held by student subcultures. Such cultures are supported directly or indirectly by universities. Evaluates prospects for change on a campus, ways to understand student subcultures, and how to build new artifacts, traditions,…

Followed students annually from sixth through eighth grade to determine: (1) susceptibility to peer influence to misbehave, exposure to peer drinking, and alcohol overindulgence; (2) cohort and gender differences; and (3) moderating influences. Found that the exposure/overindulgence relationship varied as a function of initial susceptibility.…