A survey of the factors that influence adolescents (n=246) to smoke found that family smoking behavior, peer pressure, and prior beliefs were more important in predicting smoking level than were advertising and antismoking information. (Author/JOW)

Aggregate health care focuses on subgroups at high risk for illness or premature death. The University of Wisconsin prepares nursing students for aggregate care through community projects involving diagnosis, planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation. (SK)

The Families and Schools Together (FAST) Program is a family-support program that helps schools build strong relationships with families of children aged 6-9 experiencing behavioral or academic difficulties. A recent study examined FAST's application in San Antonio, Texas, focusing on six community-building strategies. (Contains 29 references.)…

Although school tragedies are not totally preventable, they will be far more preventable if schools develop a written school safety plan. Components should include legally mandated safety drills, regularly scheduled school safety audits and evaluations, a student apparel policy, a schoolwide discipline plan, and a closed campus. (MLH)

Looks at preventive/predictive maintenance as it is used in industry. Discusses core preventive maintenance tools that must be understood to prepare students. Includes a list of websites related to the topic. (JOW)

Illustrates how evaluating the Oklahoma City Smoke Alarm Project increased its success in reducing residential fire-related injuries and deaths. The program distributed and tested smoke alarms in residential dwellings and offered educational materials on fire prevention and safety. Evaluation provided sound data on program processes and outcomes,…

Describes how electronic alarm systems can enhance school security by offering constant protection. Discusses the two types of electronic security systems available--hardwire and wireless--the best locations to place detectors, strategies in protecting specialized areas, and the importance of keeping accurate records regarding false alarms. (RJM)

Reports on the third Dead Sea Conference, stressing the importance of the human self-healing potential. Integrative theoretical models, integrative techniques, and workshops presented at the conference are reviewed. Presentations on cancer and immunology are reviewed. A need remains for education, counseling, and research integrating these…

Reviews 14 studies on suicide prevention centers to gauge the centers' preventive effect on suicide rates. Seven studies provide some support for a preventive effect, one found an increase in the suicide rates, and six failed to find any significant effects. Evidence, therefore, suggests a preventive effect from suicide prevention centers. (RJM)

Investigates perceptions of adolescents concerning relationship between chronic peer abuse and suicidal behavior, contending chronic peer abuse is a risk factor for adolescent suicidal behavior. Results upheld this contention, adding that bystander perceptions supported victims' views. Suggests interventions to stop bullying should be expanded to…

Explains how schools that focus on roofing maintenance are more likely to avoid leaks and costly repairs. Brief comments on the U.S. Department of Education's report on roof ratings and adequacy are highlighted. (GR)

Lovell and Richardson discuss how, through the family and consumer sciences curriculum, preventing acts of school violence can be presented to students as early as the sixth grade. They suggest that incidents of school and family violence can be reduced by teaching relationship skills. Davis describes STOP the Violence, a program that uses peer…

Presents examples of types of analyses that can be employed in cross-national comparisons of marijuana using samples from U.S. data. The data illustrate basic trends in use over time and the differences between demographic groups in the U.S. Suggests uniform data collection methods would help towards identifying marijuana use as a world-wide…

In a case involving a knife in a car and a school's zero-tolerance policy, a circuit court decided it was unfair to expel a student for possessing a prohibited item if he did not know of its presence. Injury to another is impossible under those circumstances! (MLH)

Highlights the issues of risk and legal liability in international study abroad programs for college and university administrators and their counsel. Seeks to encourage increased institutional commitment of resources to protect participants from reasonably foreseeable harm. (EV)