Evaluated an early intervention, risk-reduction strategy in comparison with a standard intervention approach in the treatment of inner-city youth at risk of adopting a deviant life style. Regression analysis of outcome measures for 428 inner-city youth revealed significant differential results for delinquent activity, favoring the experimental…

Explores the relationship between college students' self-reports of adolescent substance use and scores on indices tapping different aspects of guilt. Results suggest that a stronger internalization of societal standards, as reflected by higher scores on Standards and Situational Guilt, may prove a useful tool in the prevention of substance use.…

Advocates the use of criminal prosecution of pregnant women who abuse illegal substances. Discusses the views that use of drugs is a form of illness and that pregnant women should be exempt from laws. Concludes that court supervision and sanctions can improve treatment. Argues that punishment and treatment need not be mutually exclusive and…

A methodology for a client-centered assessment of human services needs in a community is described. While the procedures were developed for identifying service needs for substance abusers, with some modification, they can be used in a needs assessment for any social or health problem. (TJH)

The effects of problems with alcohol and other drugs are sometimes subtle, sometimes extravagant, and always debilitating. The tendency for individuals to deny their own problems makes the need for firm and compassionate colleagues more important. Intervention is a way of bringing sympathetic help to a colleague in distress. (MLW)

The article describes an elective course, part of the required psychiatry clerkship, at Dartmouth Medical School (New Hampshire), which stresses development of critical thinking skills in the diagnosis and management of patients with substance abuse and related medical and psychiatric complications. (Author/DB)

Of 1,155 American Indian children with behavioral or emotional problems or with a history of abuse or neglect, 67 percent were identified in the survey as abused or neglected. Thirteen tables detail frequency of abuse and neglect by age, sex, living situation, psychiatric symptoms, drug use, school expulsion or running away, and other factors.…

Used cross-sectional probability sample of 3,132 household adults to compare lifetime diagnoses of nine major mental disorders between respondents who had been sexually assaulted and those who had not. Found sexual assault predictive of later onset of major depressive episodes, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders, but not related to later onset…

Analyzes data from 10 long-term prospective studies in relation to key issues about self-quitting smoking. Compares the success rates of self-quitters and formal treatment programs of light smokers and heavy smokers, and examines the cyclical nature of quitting. Concludes that self-quitting is a dynamic process, not a discrete event. (FMW)

Chemically dependent adolescents identified as cases of physical and/or sexual abuse (N=145) were compared with control groups of nonabused chemically dependent adolescents and nonabused, nondependent adolescents. Self-esteem was measured with the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, and the chemically dependent, abused group showed significantly lower…

Major approaches to school-based substance abuse prevention for adolescents are reviewed, and school organizational issues for the implementation of such programs are considered. The need for multi-level interventions including parents, the community, and the media is discussed. Three models of school-based substance abuse prevention programs are…

Describes a graduate course for teaching therapists about the contributions that have been made to the understanding and treatment of substance abuse by family researchers, theorists, and clinicians. Delineates course purpose, student selection, instructional methods, and course content. (Author)

A 1993 Texas survey found that non-Hispanics were significantly more likely than Hispanics to report lifetime alcohol or drug use or past-year alcohol use. Among Hispanics, drug and alcohol use increased with acculturation. Among lifetime drug abstainers, health concerns was the most frequently cited reason for abstention for both groups; other…

Explores alcohol consumption (and other substance abuses) at historically black colleges compared with nonblack colleges and universities. The paper explores the consequences of alcohol and other drug use and examines what is known about binge drinking. Comparative research indicates far less drinking and substance abuse at black colleges. (GR)

Discusses the nature and extent of problem of prenatal drug exposure. Expresses concern about the increase in number of women of childbearing age testing positive for drug use. Explains the social, cognitive, behavioral, and motor deficiencies resulting from such drug exposure and consequent issues and recommendations for early childhood…