The rural community mental health center tends to serve a large geographic area, have decentralized service delivery, require its professionals to function as generalists, and coordinate closely with other agencies. The last decade has seen an increasing strain placed on this pattern. As block grant and fee-for-service shifts resulting from the…

Describes a rite-of-passage approach to the treatment of addicted African American women drawn from traditional African culture. Claims that the best way to work with families to recover sobriety and cultural knowledge is through value orientations drawn from African wisdom. (MOK)

Used the "social deviance model" to investigate whether low self esteem (SE) was differentially related to substance use for respondents in varying cultural norms. Responses to intensity of tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and drug use, SE and cultural norm items from over 2,000 high school and college students failed to support this model. (KW)

Considers the role of the district attorney as a catalyst for aggressive school-based educational programs to help young people avoid trouble with the legal system. The author argues that schools are the logical sites to provide services in alcohol- and drug-abuse prevention, and discusses ways of using education to deal with the root causes of…

Assessed the characteristics that predicted the timing of first sexual intercourse in high-risk adolescents. Employed event history analyses and defined predictor variables using multimethod and multiagent assessments. Found that precocious sexual initiative can be understood using models of the etiology of other problem behavior, and that…

A study examining substance use problems in the Asian American community surveyed 87 Indian, Vietnamese, and Chinese American youths and young adults. Findings indicated more awareness of drinking problems than drug use problems. Although respondents showed positive attitudes toward treatment, behaviors suggested a tendency to utilize personal…

Reviews research relevant to family-based adolescent health promotion, focusing on efforts to prevent problems and encourage healthy development. Discusses family processes that appear central to healthy adolescent functioning, including attachment, reducing disharmony, and encouraging responsibility. Describes selected family interventions,…

Relations of contraceptive behavior, problem behaviors, and health-protective behaviors were examined in an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of sexually active adolescents. Findings demonstrate substantial organization among adolescent health and problem behaviors and suggest that contraceptive behavior should be conceptualized…

Evaluation of an innovative substance abuse treatment program designed for rural areas involved 45 clients, 10 clinicians, and 2 program directors from three sites. Most clients felt the program was beneficial, but stressful. Clinicians found the program demanding to learn and adopt. Program directors liked the rural-specific design and the…

Describes regional and federal responses to the homelessness crisis, including the author-sponsored White House Conference on Homelessness Act. Supports legislative measures to accomplish the following goals: (1) increased low-income housing; (2) treatment of mentally ill and alcohol- and drug-dependent individuals; and (3) new approaches to…

Two union lawyers concede that employer concern about substance abuse is legitimate but object to the invasion of individual privacy and the assault on worker dignity. Describe the standards that must be met for drug testing to be constitutionally valid and identify the unreliable technology of drug tests. (MLF)

The magnitude of the present-day problem of alcohol and substance misuse by American Indians is described in mortality rates and proportionate use reports. Use of inhalants, amphetamines, sedatives, and hallucinogens is examined. The historical and complex relationships between American Indians and alcohol are sketched, and prevention approaches…

Reports the level of participation of parents in a parent-targeted school-based drug prevention program, and the differences between students whose parents participated and those who didn't. Results indicate that parent-targeted drug prevention programs may stigmatize attending parents and may be unlikely to attract the highest risk families. (JPS)

A sample of 25 children exposed prenatally to cocaine was compared with a control group of 18 children not exposed to any drugs prenatally. Using the AGS (American Guidance Service) Screening Profile, results indicated that the control group was significantly superior on all subtests except for the Motor Coordination and Speech Articulation…

Presents some explanations for the doubling of the young adult suicide rate since 1950. Analyzes the diagnoses and population groups that contribute the most to this increase. Groups that can be readily affected by suicide reduction measures are discussed, and methods for reducing suicide are proposed. (JPS)