Reviews risk factors for adolescent and young adult substance use as a framework for examining race differences in exposure and/or vulnerability. Concludes that the assumption that African American and white youth are equally exposed and vulnerable to the same risk factors is incorrect. Finds that youth differed significantly in their exposure to…

Examined substance use in adolescents who experienced parental divorce during childhood, during adolescence, or who were from intact families. Adolescence divorce group had greater overall drug involvement. Divorce had negative effect on boys but not on girls. Custodial parents' remarriage led to increased substance use among girls, decreased…

Presents portions of a speech by the director of the Four Worlds Development Project (FWDP) at the annual Pugwash conference on social and ethical dimensions of science and technology. Relates the healing work of FWDP and the Pugwash ethic to the attitudes of Native American elders. (DHP)

Tested hypothesis that families of adolescent substance abusers are more enmeshed and rigid than non-problem families and that degree of enmeshment and rigidity will affect form of drug abuse. Administered five family-oriented assessments to juvenile drug offenders (N=148) aged 12-22 and concluded that families of adolescent substance abusers were…

Introduces Family Behavior Loop Mapping as diagraming method for wet and dry repetitive behavior cycles of substance abusers. Explains family wet/dry behavior cycles as changes in family function corresponding to abuser shifts from active use (wet) to abstinence (dry). (Author/CM)

The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers was administered to 54 children who had been prenatally exposed to drugs. Results indicated a tendency toward the lower end of the spectrum with poorer performance identified on test items measuring tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular processing and language. (JOW)

There is little empirical evidence of the success of project D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education). One hundred ninth grade students from a small, predominately white New Jersey township were randomly selected for the collection of behavioral data. The paucity of recorded drug offenses among both test and control groups most likely…

Explores the extent of the relationship between onset of sexual experiences and onset of substance use in a sample of runaway youth in Alaska. Initiation of sexual activity preceded the onset of drug-taking, and intercourse prior to age 12 was reported by 40%. Implications for those providing care for this group are explored. (JPS)

Presents the epidemiology of suicide and discusses known risk factors for suicide within a framework designed to encourage a systematic approach to theory testing and prevention. Since risk factors for suicide rarely occur in isolation, prevention efforts are more likely to succeed if multiple risk factors are targeted. (JPS)

Examined claimed substance intoxication at time of crime commission with violent crimes for 1988 admissions to North Carolina Department of Correction. Most frequently abused drug was alcohol. Intoxicated criminals committed no more violent offenses than did sober offenders. Inmates inebriated with illegal drugs committed fewer violent crimes than…

Examined role of spirituality in process of recovery from chemical dependency among 50 participants in 28-day recovery program. Results indicated trend toward use of prayer or meditation by those abstaining from use of mind-altering chemicals. Findings suggest that associations between recovery and use of prayer or meditation is important. (NB)

Describes development of a campus-based Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP). Notes that the program has been designed in accordance with recommendations made by prominent authorities in the field, keeping in mind the needs of the campus at which the program is located. Provides suggestions for developing such programs. (Author/NB)

The recidivism of 75 offenders with intellectual disability who had been incarcerated in Melbourne (Australia) was examined. Results showed a recidivist rate of 41.3% with the variables of unemployment, substance abuse, and a psychiatric history being important antecedents of recidivism. (Author/DB)

Detailed data on the 14 adolescent cases from San Diego Suicide Study are presented and comparisons made to other studies. Data are presented that suggest that vast majority of adolescents who commit suicide have had relatively long histories of disturbed behavior and psychiatric symptoms (most typically depression and/or substance abuse).…

Examined interrater reliability of diagnoses made on basis of structured interview for psychiatric patients with and without psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUDs). Results from 47 pairs of ratings by 9 clinical interviewers revealed that interrater reliability for non-PSUD psychiatric diagnoses was quite high when patient had no diagnosable…