An instrument to assess the risk of child abuse in families affected by substance abuse is presented. The assessment tool is intended to be used as a guide in data gathering and case planning and for monitoring family progress and evaluating the outcomes of services. Data on the instrument's reliability and validity are presented. (CR)

Associations between substance abuse and emotional and behavioral adjustment were examined in a two-wave longitudinal design for 138 inner-city ninth graders. Drug use showed associations in expected directions with all indices of adjustment except for peer-related sociability. Implications for interventions are discussed. (SLD)

To investigate gender differences in acceptance of substance abuse behavior among adolescents, 968 students were administered a questionnaire to assess their perceptions. Results show that both genders felt that boys would be more approving of teenage substance abuse. Most students were disapproving of a teenager driving after drinking. Other…

Over 5,200 youths processed through a Juvenile Assessment Center during a 20-month period were involved in this study of recidivism predictors. Significant relationships were found between the youths' demographics, dependency referral factors, delinquency referral history variables, and recidivism. Direct implications for service delivery and…

Argues that capturing the attention of college and university presidents regarding alcohol and other drug use requires an understanding of the presidents' public role and the relationship of prevention to the mission of an institution. Claims that leaders in student development must link prevention to their presidents' agendas. (Includes an…

Discusses a qualitative study of five campus prevention programs. Identified 13 factors found to be most critical to the success of alcohol and other drug prevention programs. Discusses each factor in detail, as well as the implications of using qualitative research methods to assess and enhance campus programs. (Includes an index.) (RJM)

Purpose in life and coping skills are hypothesized to mediate association between cognitive abilities (e.g., fluid and crystallized intelligence) and polydrug use. Results indicated relationship between crystallized intelligence and alcohol use was mediated by purpose in life. Older age predicted higher cognitive abilities, stronger coping…

A survey of dental schools (n=49) and dental hygiene programs (n=169) suggests students receive little tobacco cessation education, and respondent schools had no immediate plans for curriculum change in this area, despite reporting positive attitudes about the institutional role in tobacco use cessation interventions. (Author/MSE)

Changes in homelessness since the 1950s and 1960s involve increasing numbers of homeless persons, striking differences in their composition, and marked deterioration in their condition. Beyond similarly high levels of mental illness and substance abuse, the new homeless are younger, poorer, often shelterless, and include more minorities, women,…

Five articles discuss current publications and reports concerning youth. Topics include: (1) services that states must provide to fulfill requirements of the federal independent living program; (2) progress of handicapped children in schools; (3) ways in which southern states have faced their problems; (4) girls' substance abuse; and (5) youth and…

Used meta-analysis to review 33 evaluations of school-based alcohol and drug education programs. Found typical substance abuse education had most positive effects on knowledge and attitudes, but was unsuccessful in changing drug-using behaviors of students. Attitudinal effects were significantly higher when peers were instructional leaders and…

Multiple problem behaviors, stress, and personal resources were assessed over 2 years among 136 mainly black and Hispanic gay and bisexual males, age 14 to 19 years. Problem behaviors were found to be stable over time; the pattern of change in one behavior problem was not related to patterns of change in other problem behaviors. (MDM)

Substance abusing adolescents (n=30) with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance abusing non-ADHD (n=30) adolescents were compared in terms of treatment outcomes. Although treatment outcomes did not vary significantly, a difference was observed in actual length of stay. Those with a behavior diagnosis stayed an average of 36…

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the International Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) developed a master's level certification for addictions counselors. While NBCC and IAAOC's position is that skills necessary for general counseling are sufficient for an addictions counselor, specific knowledge about…

Interviews with 1,001 adult homosexual and bisexual men found that sexual abuse in childhood was significantly associated with mental health counseling and hospitalization, psychoactive substance use, depression, suicidal thought or actions, social support, sexual identity development, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) risk behavior, and risk of…