Examined developmental and gender differences in relations between drug use and problem behavior. Found grade-related differences for 10 of the 18 substances investigated. Alcohol use showed the highest association with problem behavior. Girls who exhibited problem behaviors used or experimented with a wider variety of substances when compared to…

A review of research on prevention of alcohol abuse among American Indians found that they experience many alcohol-related health problems. Indians have earlier age of first involvement with alcohol, more frequent drinking, and more negative consequences than non-Indians. Prevention programs must consider American Indian heterogeneity and cultural…

Reports on Soviet parents' responses to a 1986 survey concerning parental influence on children and alcohol use. Points out that most parents perceive the link between their own alcohol use and children's drinking but cultural traditions and alcoholic habits often preclude change. Notes parents' opinions on effectiveness of governmental and school…

Six existing statistical procedures (models) for indirectly assessing the prevalence of need for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services across subareas of a state are described and critiqued in terms of epidemiological and statistical characteristics. Specific advantages and disadvantages are listed for each model. (SLD)

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…

Analyzes the results of a survey given 5th- through 12th-grade students in a small city school district. Respondents evaluated their schools' substance abuse prevention programs and also gave their views on the adequacy and fairness of school and legal punishments for common drug and alcohol offenses. (RJM)

Examines college substance abuse prevention and intervention programs in the framework of the elaboration likelihood model. Discusses the role of persuasion and recommends careful analysis of the relevance, construction, and delivery of messages about substance use and subsequent program evaluation. Recommendations for increasing program…

Some approaches to dealing with contemporary issues on campus include Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome awareness--safe sex parties; crime prevention--students helping students, legislation, workshops and conferences; alcohol awareness--designated driver program and starting a nonalcoholic bar; cults on campus; sexual assault--"Hours Til…

Assessed incidence and risk factors of unwanted sexual activity initiated by peers for 1,149 adolescent females. Twenty percent of sample reported some type of unwanted sexual contact in past year. Over one-third of this group reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse. Boyfriends were most commonly reported perpetrators followed by…

Surveys undergraduate students (N=356) to determine factors that predict health-behavior change. AIDS risk was influenced by level of identity and self-confidence, perceived barriers to prevention, and self-efficacy. Alcohol abuse was influenced by perceptions of the severity and barriers, self-efficacy, and social influences. Nutritional…

Examined the relationship between junior high school students' participation in an alcohol prevention program and level of refusal skills (as measured by role plays), noting the relationship between refusal skills and alcohol misuse over three years. Regression analysis indicated that refusal skills were significant mediators of the effect of the…

In this interview, Senator Campbell identifies violence, drug and alcohol abuse, poorly funded schools, and racism as obstacles facing American Indian youth. He discusses government programs that help American Indians, but notes that tribal control of programs is more effective and a return to traditional tribal values is necessary to provide a…

Violence and risky behavior sound a wakeup call for schools. Schools need to teach accurate, honest, and relevant life-saving reality education. A K-12 comprehensive health-education framework with age-appropriate prevention messages and positive life skills is crucial. Programs need to be accurate, up-to-date, and brutally honest. (MLF)

The 1998 National Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey measured health risk behaviors at alternative high schools. Many alternative students engaged in behaviors that made them high-risk for serious problems (e.g., motor vehicle safety, violence, nutrition, sexuality, exercise, and substance abuse). Their prevalence of high risk…

Purpose: The number of women aged 45 years and older infected with the HIV virus continues to increase. This study sought to identify, from the voices of midlife and older women living with HIV, the factors in their lives that put them at risk for HIV, so as to improve HIV-prevention efforts for women of this age group. Design and Methods: In this…