Among American Indian and non-Indian adolescents, drug and alcohol use was most likely to occur at weekend parties, at night with friends, and while driving around. Use at school was comparatively low. Heavy drug users were more likely to have friends who used drugs and encouraged drug use. (SV)

Surveyed 13,454 rural Native American adolescents. Found 2 percent reported poor physical health and high rates of health-compromising behaviors, which were significantly correlated with physical or sexual abuse, suicide attempts, substance abuse, poor school performance, and poor nutrition. Academic risk was strongly associated with physical,…

Estimates the number of infants exposed to legal and illegal substances before birth, drawing on 27 published reports and National Institute on Drug Abuse data. The following are estimated exposure levels: (1) cocaine, 2-3 percent; (2) marijuana, 3-12 percent; (3) cigarettes, 38 percent; and (4) alcohol, 73 percent. (SLD)

Reviews the effects of prenatal exposure to the following: (1) cigarettes; (2) alcohol; (3) heroin; (4) narcotics; (5) marijuana; and (6) cocaine. Also discussed are the effects of exposure to multiple drugs and research issues in assessing drug effects. The importance of environment in long-term outcome is emphasized. (SLD)

Defines "addiction" and discusses models of addiction. Discusses implications for school prevention programs. Discusses role of school counselor in implementation of a comprehensive addiction prevention program, including assessment, curricular components, intervention programs, and staff development. Presents questions and criteria to…

Examined substance use among rural black and rural white students (n=1,915). Found that black males were significantly less likely than white males to drink alcohol; get drunk; smoke cigarettes; or use smokeless tobacco, hallucinogens, and sedatives. Black females were significantly less likely than white females to drink alcohol; get drunk; smoke…

Explores hindrances to sustaining African-American mobilization against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Major obstacles include the following: (1) objective conditions; (2) attitudes toward sexuality; (3) perceptions about substance abuse and AIDS; and (4) conflicting policy views. Public health education has not been sufficient in the…

Explores the complex relationship between parental control and delinquency, accounting for age and gender by examining effects of powers/controls and interactions among powers/controls within age and gender groups, using data from the 1972 National Survey of Youth (402 female and 470 male white 11- to 18-year-old adolescents). (SLD)

A study of 123 families examined the role of parental stress in physically abusive and nonabusive families with conduct-disordered children. Parental stress was found to play an important role in abusive families. Physically abusive families were found to have lower incomes, younger mothers with less education, a history of child abuse, and more…

A Portland, Oregon, program for dealing with gang activity required school policy changes that (1) prohibit gang markings; (2) state that school lockers and desks are the possession of the school system and subject to unannounced checks; and (3) establish guidelines with the press in covering the gang problem. (MLF)

Provides counselors with the foundations of group theory and practice specifically geared toward meeting the needs of school children growing up in chemically dependent homes. Information is geared toward late elementary and early middle school grades. Examples provided reflect work with that age group, but counselors can use materials with other…

Describes the urban context and multitribal demographics of the Puyallup Reservation (Washington), and the history of Chief Leschi Schools (pre-K-12)--a multicampus provider of educational and social services to Native youth living on or near the reservation. Discusses problems of substance abuse and violence; community-, family-, school-, and…

Argues that the population of children with behavior disorders has changed dramatically for the worse over the past 25 years due to societal transformation. Society's reliance on punishing sanctions rather than preventing risk conditions or rehabilitation is discussed and strategies are suggested for proactive approaches in addressing social…

Examined factors contributing to depressive symptoms and co-occurring depressions, substance abuse, and conduct problems among runaway and homeless adolescents. Found that although family-of-origin factors contributed to depressive symptoms and comorbidity, experiences and behaviors when adolescents were on their own also had powerful effects.…

Used between-family analyses of data from adolescent twin girls to offer new evidence that early menarche is associated with earlier initiation and greater frequency of smoking and drinking. Found that association of pubertal timing with substance use could not be explained by between-family confounds, and pubertal timing influence on drinking…