States that, although sociologists have made contributions to the drug abuse research literature, they have been absent in the formulation of drug policy. Argues that sociologists should take a pragmatic approach, using the tools of their science within the context of existing policy, to reduce drug abuse and thereby limit the need for punitive…

Describes voluntary testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a residential substance abuse treatment program; highlights discussion group involving 5 clients who tested positive for HIV. Notes that clients in HIV groups dropped out of treatment at significantly lower percentages than clients in general, indicating HIV identification…

Describes intervention and treatment services available to youth and adolescents with chemical abuse problems. Discusses necessary components of a comprehensive approach. Reviews research on treatment outcomes within the various types of programs along with research on the treatment models employed. (Author/LHW)

Developed and evaluated a home-based contracting program to determine its effect on the compliance rates of 25 discharged alcohol patients to a disulfiram (antabuse) regimen. After three months those subjects who were involved in contracting and recording reached criterion more frequently than those in the minimal treatment group. (JAC)

Reviews the present state of knowledge with respect to substance abuse among Hispanic youth. Outlines several factors which have inhibited a thorough analysis of Hispanic drug-alcohol abuse and identifies salient issues to be addressed in the 1980s. Suggests the need for culture-specific programs. (CMG)

Experiential activities provide each participant with the ability to see, feel, and experience whatever therapeutic issue the facilitator is addressing, and usually much more. This paper presents experiential activities to address the 12 steps of recovery adopted from Alcoholics Anonymous. These 12 steps are used worldwide for many other recovery…

Research is developing a clearer picture of the dangers of mind-altering drugs. The goal of this report is to present the latest information to providers to help them strengthen their prevention and treatment efforts. A description is presented of dissociative drugs, and consideration is given as to why people take hallucinogens. The physical…

Having witnessed drug use, idleness, and dangerous driving, a parent urges school officials to encourage neighborhood vigilance, follow up on leads, use dogs to sniff out drugs, suspend hard cases, expose second offenders to drug victims in local hospitals, and provide students with positive role models and career goals. (PB)

Proposes a psychoeducational model of intervention for use with drug abusers. Claims that the model may be particularly helpful during the early stages of intervention in reducing resistance to change since it addresses the eight thinking styles believed to shield the drug "lifestyle" from forces that would otherwise lead to change. (RJM)

Examines shock incarceration (short-term, boot-camp programs) to determine whether a self-reported history of drug use, supported by official data, is related to completion or failure in the program. Analysis of selected inmates (N=100) found no significant correlation between drug use and boot camp completion or failure. (RJM)

A statewide treatment outcomes monitoring system included baseline interviews with 387 adolescents and 363 parents representing 37 programs. This study examined adolescent and parent predictors of treatment completion and 6-month outcomes. Only 21.4% of the adolescents reported abstinence for the 6 months following treatment; however, marijuana…

Compliance during drug treatment reflects treatment engagement. Examines self-assessed compliance, behavioral compliance, and their influences, among adolescents in treatment. Stepwise logistic regression showed that desire for help was significantly related to more compliance. Discusses the implications of these findings for adolescent treatment…

Conducted a social policy experiment in 76 drug treatment organizations in Peru from 1997 to 2000. Programs were assigned to one of three training conditions. Positive effects were found for increased staff empowerment to use training tools and principles, and larger effects were found on the implementation of therapeutic community methods with…

Developed a comprehensive methodology for a series of process evaluations of seven therapeutic communities for drug-involved offenders. The methodology used stakeholder interviews, official measures of program implementation, and a new structured observation technique. Discusses the type and quality of information provided by each technique. (SLD)