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…

Explores adolescent Satanism as a phenomenon of adolescent developmental issues, most frequently occurring in the context of chemical abuse. Explains what a cult is, reviews history of Church of Satan, identifies characteristics of adolescent Satanism, and provides a case study of 16-year-old male with chemical dependency who becomes involved in…

Describes two adolescent substance abuse treatment programs in New England psychiatric center: Osgood Three, which is no longer in existence, and Tyler Three, which replaced it and is struggling to grow. Considers transition from Osgood Three to Tyler Three, process of change, and learning what can be preserved from past and what must be…

Investigated access to generic substance abuse services for persons with mental retardation. Telephone survey of chemical dependency treatment agencies revealed that agencies accepting mentally retarded clients differed significantly from nonaccepting agencies in their perceived difficulty in integrating these clients and in their acceptance of…

Examines a student substance abuse training program, Enhancing Student Well-Being, for paraprofessional school personnel. Results show consistent gains n participant efficacy expectations but less consistent gains in outcome expectations and knowledge. Participant satisfaction and self-reports of knowledge enhancement and skill improvement were…

Describes a health and human rights framework for conceptualizing and responding to the causes and consequences of youth substance use, reviewing international and national efforts to address youth substance use and discussing the intersection between health and human rights. A methodology for modeling vulnerability in relation to harmful…