Identifying risk and protective factors that serve as predictors of substance use is essential for developing effective prevention programs. Inconsistency in the data about the role of religion and spirituality as a protective factor for African Americans continues to exist. In this study, data were collected from 511 African American youth, ages…

Substance abuse is a major social problem and concern for counselors. It is the most prevalent mind disorder encompassing some 40% of the diagnoses in the DSM-IV, the number one continuing health problem, and the number one prison problem in the United States. Yet, school, rehabilitation, and mental health counselor education programs do not…

Focusing entirely on tobacco use, this book offers parents a powerful program for preventing or ending their children's tobacco addiction. The book provides practical strategies and suggestions to show parents how to help their children to make wise health choices and prepare them to meet their physical, social, and emotional needs without…

This brief Kids Count report reviews principal adverse birth outcomes that affect the status of infants in Montana, including infant mortality and low birth weight. Statistics and brief summaries are provided in the following areas: (1) infant mortality (on the decline since 1989); (2) low birth rate (remaining steady from 1988 through 1992); (3)…

Describes a special Head Start initiative called Free to Grow: Head Start Partnerships to Promote Substance-Free Communities. Notes five such Head Start programs in Puerto Rico, Kentucky, California, Colorado, and New York that have designed substance abuse prevention models to strengthen families and neighborhoods by providing a healthy…

This group study features a loss-grief inventory in the treatment of 98 substance abusers in an outpatient treatment facility. The inventory designed in this study serves both assessment (helps counselor and client identify unresolved loss-grief issues which may contribute to addiction) and treatment (assists the client through the grieving…

A two-year study of 239 families comprising both substance-abusing and nonsubstance-abusing parents found parental substance abuse greatly increased the likelihood of poorer family functioning and re-reports for maltreatment to the child protection services. The findings support the need for including parental substance abuse in risk assessment…

Interviews concerning mental health needs and service configurations with 401 Southwestern American Indian youth aged 12-19 found that 79 percent had mental health or addiction problems. Regardless of disorder, youth were least likely to seek help from traditional healers or specialists and most likely to seek help from informal, natural helping…

Investigated factors influencing substance abuse among sixth- and seventh-graders from an affluent suburban community. Found high rates of depressive symptoms among older girls, links between internalizing symptoms and substance abuse, and peer approval of substance use among older boys. Distress was linked to achievement pressures and isolation…

Stores (n=120) in Chicago (Illinois) were targeted for enforcement of prohibitions on selling cigarettes to minors. Enforcement schedules of 2, 4, and 6 months were effective in reducing illegal sales, from 86% to 19%, 87% to 34%, and 87% to 42%, respectively, indicating the effectiveness of regular enforcement of civil penalties for tobacco sales…

Survey of 124 vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors in 14 states examined characteristics of American Indian and Alaska Native VR clients with alcoholism or drug abuse problems, aspects of the counselor-client relationship, VR services provided, minimum period of sobriety required, counselor training and training needs, and ratings of…

Examined the influence of family structure on substance abuse among 2,057 Ontario adolescent students. Focused on influence of various family structures on five substance use and delinquency outcomes. Results showed that the most influential familial interaction factor is the amount of time spent with family. (LSR)

A grade five through grade eight substance abuse prevention program was developed, implemented, and evaluated. Students received either two years of the program or none. At the end of grade seven, program students' rates of substance use slowed significantly and knowledge of alcohol pressures increased compared to non-program students. (RJM)

A musical play was performed for high school students judged to be at risk for drug problems. Students' responses revealed that live theater is an effective means for stimulating both thought and discussion pertaining to the effects of drugs in the lives of adolescents. Implications for counseling and other concerns are discussed. (RJM)

A survey of 823 high school students found that the higher the adolescent is on a Need scale, the greater the likelihood of engaging in substance use. Further results indicated that cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana are associated with significantly higher scores on the Need scale for both males and females. (RJM)