In the last few years, a vast amount of research has accumulated with respect to American children's use of legal and illicit drugs. This research has included cross-sectional studies (which have attempted to determine current drug usage, age of onset for each drug used, and maximum frequency of use in the lifetime); longitudinal studies (which…

In a study of 404 University of Maryland, College Park, incoming freshmen who complete an anonymous poll regarding their behavior and attitudes toward drugs, approximately 60 percent reported using marihuana. Thirty-five percent said they used it once a month or more. Hashish had been sampled by about one-third of the freshmen, with 10 percent…

Characteristics of the situation in which a fear-arousing communication is received affect the effectiveness of the communication. The influence of situational factors affecting a recipient's interpretation of the arousal induced by communication were investigated with smokers (N=37) who were exposed to a fear-arousing anti-smoking movie. Prior to…

The drug use patterns of Indiana youth from the seventh to the twelfth grades in 1977 and 1980 were assessed. Findings reveal that: (1) There is an increase in the availability of marijuana at all grade levels; (2) The percentage of students who have tried most of the illegal drugs has increased, with the larger increase among the older students;…

This tobacco education curriculum for second grade contains a sampling of teaching methods, concepts and objectives for the course, and instructional units. Each unit, designed to reinforce a major concept in regard to smoking, lists suggested learning activities as well as instructional materials to be used and resources available to the teacher.…

This tobacco education curriculum for senior high contains a sampling of teaching methods, concepts and objectives for the course, and instructional units. Each unit, designed to reinforce a particular concept in regard to smoking, lists suggested learning activities as well as instructional materials to be used and resources available to the…

The premise, that cigarette smoking is hazardous to health, is the basis of this study. The purpose of the study was to cause a shift in behavior from the "presmoker" or "smoking experimenter" toward the "nonsmoker" rather than the smoker. The general concept, the cigarette smoking habit is a health hazard of sufficient importance for youth to…

This report presents an experimental study in which changes in marijuana attitudes and smoking intentions were attempted using the formal communication approach. Several "currently useful generalizations" derived from past research and the present study are suggested. (Author)

"In Control: A Home Video Freedom from Smoking Program" was sent to 101 participants. Of 53 completing self-treatment, 31 were verified as abstinent one month after completion. Of those completing treatment, 40 percent had not smoked three months prior to 12-month follow-up, and 30 percent had been abstinent during the past 11 months.…

Examined health concerns of 278 urban junior high school students. Highest levels of concerns pertained to dental health, friendships, nutrition, and sex; lowest levels pertained to smoking, birth control, pregnancy, and homosexuality. Younger, female, and less healthy students expressed greater health concerns. (Author/NB)

Suggests that an emphasis on erotic images in women's magazines and on images of adventure, risk, and recreation in youth magazines tailored cigarette ads to the implicit and explicit desires of consumers, allaying their fears about the health effects of smoking. (MM)

Social consensus concerning drug use and abuse may be only skin deep. Despite numerous "anti" campaigns, Reagan administration is saying "no" to funding for drug treatment and prevention programs, while tobacco advertising and growing incentives continue unabated. Despite these and other societal addictions, schools must reason calmly and offer…

Evaluated the effect of monetary incentives on cigarette smoking in 120 college students. Results indicated that monetary incentive was generally effective in reducing smoking. Incentives offered to a group (sorority and fraternity) were more effective among females, while individual incentives were more effective with men. (JAC)

This article describes how, by using a paper-and-pencil, multiple-risk-factor assessment instrument referred to as the Heart Health Assessment Questionnaire, the specific educational needs of an aging veteran population were more clearly identified. Findings are discussed in relation to the pivotal role of the health education professional for…

This article presents results from a study that described variables relative to the risk factors of secondary school students' smoking and being overweight. Implications for future risk reduction programs that are targeted for smoking and weight problem behaviors are given. (Author/DF)