This report presents an overview of the drug phenomenon in Europe at the start of the new millennium. The first chapter begins with a discussion of overall drug trends. Specifically, it examines trends in drug use and the consequences including multiple drug use; problem drug use and demand for treatment; drug-related deaths; drug-related…

This booklet is intended for use as a resource guide on substance abuse and co-existing disability areas by researchers, professionals, and people with disabilities. It contains scholarly items as well as a number of immediately functional resources for use by teachers, rehabilitation personnel, and others in their work with substance abuse…

Describes a federally funded substance abuse prevention project that focused on resilience development in Puerto Rican adolescents in a New England community. Cultural pride played an instrumental role in youths discovering their strengths while helping themselves and their families and community. Discusses goals, peer teaching, community service,…

Reports on interviews that probed the interaction between treatment program staff and the custodial staff of a promising institutional substance abuse treatment program. Results suggest that the differing goals of the two factions and their problems in communication facilitated an adversarial relationship. Presents recommendations aimed at…

Examines the findings of two surveys, each involving over 4,000 California secondary students, which show that both self-reported substance use and perception of frequency of substance use on campus were significantly associated with school violence. Substance use on the campus was strongly associated with both being a victim and an aggressor.…

Assessed the impact that a drug education course had on college students (N=121) regarding motives, consequences, attitudes, and perceptions of alcohol use. Following the course, students reported a slight elevation in the motivation to drink alcohol to facilitate studying. Certain kinds of drinking decreased significantly following the course.…

Tests the impact of two social-cognitive interventions implemented in the 6th grade (Intervention 1) and 8th/9th grades (Intervention 2) on student's skill acquisition and on their 9th and 10th grade substance use. Results indicate positive program effects for Intervention 2 on skill acquisition and overall drug involvement. (RJM)

In spring 1996, Drug Strategies, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization published results of an evaluation of 47 substance-abuse prevention programs. The evaluation used criteria based on empirical research findings. This article outlines the elements of effective drug-prevention programs and highlights the six programs that earned As in…

The intervention described here involved having minors try to purchase tobacco and alcohol, then citizens issuing citations to clerks who completed sales or commendations to those who refused. The intervention reduced alcohol, but not cigarette sales to minors. (SM)

Assessed the extent of gang involvement among homeless and runaway youth, comparing gang members, gang-involved youth (not members), and non-gang youth on several dimensions. Interview data indicated that 15.4 percent of the youth were gang members and 32.2 percent were involved in gangs. These youth reported more family problems and school…

There is a strong comorbid relationship between conduct and substance disorders in youth. In the present study, 56 such youth were randomly assigned to receive either individual-cognitive therapy or family-behavioral therapy. Subjects in both groups demonstrated significant improvements in their conduct and reductions in their use of illicit drugs…

Studied the association between perceived economic stress and adolescent adjustment in 229 Chinese adolescents using children and parent reports of economic stress. Findings show differences in perceived stress between parents and children. A lower level of perceived economic stress was generally related to better adolescent mental health and…

The effectiveness of offering same day appointments at an outpatient cocaine treatment program to increase intake attendance was examined. Seventy-eight clients were given standard or accelerated intake appointments. Significantly more clients who were given accelerated appointments attended the program. An accelerated intake procedure appears to…

Surveyed social agencies' awareness of possible developmental problems of alcohol and substance abusers' children, extent to which agency felt it could deal with the problem involving the family, and development of services for children of substance abusers. Found that many agency workers considered involvement in family problems to be part of…

Investigated whether maltreated, substance-exposed infants have higher risk of out-of-home placement than non-abused, substance-exposed children, as well as a higher risk of death than children overall. Followed 480 infants through Illinois death registry and computerized central registry of child abuse reports. Found out-of-home placement and…