Describes a new approach to school-based drug abuse prevention called Student Assistance Programs (SAP). SAP offers various approaches tailored to particular settings and includes students, teachers, parents, and community representatives who define and resolve student problems including substance abuse. SAP facilitates the use of 12-step…

Examined whether teachers' abilities to identify accurately students at risk for substance abuse can be improved through attendance at specialized training program. Eighth-grade teacher participants (n=36) were compared to 27 teacher controls. After training, intervention teachers provided more accurate ratings among usage categories than did…

Among 78 mothers of Mexican-American adolescent inhalant users, many did not adhere to traditional marital and maternal roles, but this was not related to child's drug use. Child's drug use was related to indicators of household stability, including parents' marital status, father's employment status, and maternal emotional adjustment. (Author/SV)

Tests with linear structural equations (LISREL) suggest that an integrative model best explains interrelationships among peer deviancy, psychological vulnerability, inhalant availability, family environment, acculturative and socioeconomic stress, and educational attainment, and their longitudinal effects on inhalant use and drug use severity…

Undergraduates (n=141) read vignette about suicidal person with either Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, depression, drug abuse, anxiety, or adjustment problems. Found that suicidal person who was human immunodeficiency virus-positive engendered significantly less helpful responses from students than did suicidal person who had panic attacks.…

Reviews the sparse literature concerning the mental health of American Indian and Alaska Native women. Suggests research into various sources of stress experienced by Native women and related to drug and alcohol abuse. Discusses coping mechanisms and the particular stress factors affecting professional Native women. (SV)

Insights from chaos theory--the interconnectedness of everything, nonlinear cause and effect, leverage and the "tipping point," and the importance of aligning interventions within a system--are applied to social action and illustrated via the role of adventure education in school and community interventions in the Brattleboro (Vermont) Leadership…

Examines the use of peer-helping programs in minimizing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Discusses results of a meta-analysis of school-based drug-prevention programs, false conclusions about peer programs' ineffectiveness, features of two model programs that compared peer leadership to teacher/researcher-led programs, and suggestions for…

Determined the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among Texas high school students attending dropout prevention/recovery alternative schools. Student surveys indicated that a substantial number participated in behaviors that placed them at acute or chronic health risk. There were differences in prevalence of risk behaviors by gender,…

The relationship between the number of suicidal communications prior to an attempt and the lethality of the attempt is investigated. Attempters who made fewer suicidal communications tended to use more lethal methods. A history of drug abuse was more prevalent in the low communication group. (Author/EMK)

Examines group work with transgendered male-to-female adolescents who engage in sex work. Provides an overview of the role that sex work plays in the lives of some transgendered youth, using case examples, and offers guidance for those utilizing group work approaches with transgendered adolescents. Discusses homelessness and institutionalization,…

Evaluates family-based substance abuse prevention program implemented in a rural community for families with middle school students. In comparison with nonparticipants, students had higher family cohesion, less family fighting, greater school attachment, higher self-esteem, and believed alcohol should be consumed at an older age, at one-year…

Components of healing are spiritual, relational, and intergenerational. This narrative report reaches beyond an intellectual understanding for a "healing spirit" for American Indian women in recovery. Four intersecting circles of spiritual and cultural understanding speak to balance and wellness, the colonization experience and addiction…

Describes a game that illuminates the dangers of chronic drug use. Provides facts, quotes, and episodic consequences that can adversely affect each player's mental and physical health, social support, and financial/legal situation. Discusses the game's conceptual underpinnings, development, and empirical findings. Lists potential applications in…

Investigated life contexts and activities of youth living with HIV as peer leaders in community-based programs delivering HIV education to uninfected adolescents. Identified and categorized difficulties experiences by peer leaders in areas of professional boundaries, substance abuse, and sexual behaviors that placed themselves and uninfected peers…