Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the leading health problems among American Indian communities. Public policy options that address these problems include controlling the supply of alcoholic beverages; shaping drinking practices directly; or reducing physical and social environmental risks. Discusses alcohol-related death rates and community…

Discusses the related nature of prevention and treatment of drug abuse and alcohol abuse. For both prevention and treatment, the focus must be on outreach, culturally specific needs, and community-based needs. Treatment modalities that have been most effective are those that put the basic needs of the client first. (SLD)

Examined association between risk factors and alcohol use among young rural adolescents (n=463). Found family relations, family structure, marks in school, participation in academic activities, frequency of church attendance, and deviant behavior significantly associated with alcohol use two years later. No gender or age differences were found in…

Describes survey of 300 undergraduates on alcohol abuse. Shows significant relationships between alcohol abuse and nine variables. The demographic/social variables of gender, age, and grade point average (GPA) related significantly to students' alcohol abuse. Important single predictors of abuse included familial abuse, depression, state anxiety,…

In this correlated study, researchers tested the hypothesis that adolescents who occasionally used drugs would exhibit psychologically healthier characteristics than adolescents who had been frequent users or complete abstainers. Results indicated a linear relationship between substance use and psychological health--increased drug use accompanied…

Findings indicated that high school and college students who drank frequently were more depressed than students who drank less often. However, frequent drinkers recorded higher self-esteem scores than less-frequent drinkers, contrary to findings in other studies. (RJM)

Reviews policies that address substance abuse among the homeless. Recommends that the changing needs of the homeless require an integration of alcoholism and drug abuse recovery services with programs for various groups, substance-free housing, and psychological knowledge incorporated into programs for those struggling with addiction and…

Reviews recent research on the epidemiology, subject characteristics, and service needs of the homeless population who are dually diagnosed to suffer both severe mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Discusses evolving approaches to providing social services, various treatments, system and legal issues, and problems with current research.…

Asserts that alcohol and drug abuse among Russian adolescents and young adults is a social disaster. Reviews results of study of parents and teachers which indicates that drugs and alcohol are considered major problems in Russian schools. Finds that both teachers and parents believe that parental use of alcohol is a primary factor in student…

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…

Describes project BASIC Training, a program developed to equip school-based service providers (n=50) with the necessary clinical skills to intervene in the complicated problem of alcohol and other drug use among Mexican American youth. Results suggest the project was successful in improving participants' perceptions of their clinical skills, and…

Researchers responsible for"Alcohol Abuse in Urban Indian Adolescents and Women: A Longitudinal Study for Assessment and Risk Evaluation" respond to critiques of the research project. Clarifies project goals, discusses issues related to longitudinal research, and addresses concerns related to research utilization and data publication.…

Examined the long-term effects of an intervention for elementary students in high-crime urban areas. The intervention combined teacher training, parent education, and social competence training in an effort to reduce health-risk behaviors at age 18. Self-reports showed reduced rates of violent behavior, heavy drinking, and sexual intercourse at…

We received 38 controlled studies of marital and family therapy (MFT) in alcoholism treatment. We conclude that, when the alcoholic is unwilling to seek help, MFT is effective in helping the family cope better and motivating alcoholics to enter treatment. Specifically, (a) Al-Anon facilitation and referral help family members cope better; (b)…

Studies of athletes suggest that they are at increased risk for using alcohol, smokeless tobacco, steroids, and marijuana. They are also a readily available audience during annual preparticiaption physical examinations. In this article, Dr. Werch and colleagues report on the results from their pilot study, using a modified version of STARS (Start…