Reviews the United States' nineteenth-century clean living movement, examining a recent resurgence of efforts to control alcohol and tobacco use, issues of sexuality, and overall fitness. The article highlights negative aspects, particularly regarding abridgment of personal choice, and notes implications for school health personnel. (SM)

Information on friends at 9 and 13 years, individual and family characteristics at 13 years, and substance use at 15 years was provided by 110 adolescents and their mothers. Results suggest that agreement about the friendship network is a potentially important process for defining how adolescents and parents maintain connectedness. (SLD)

Investigated psychosocial variables among adolescents who worked in family-owned businesses and in nonfamilial contexts, focusing on work stressors, parental support, academic achievement, work-school connections, substance use, and coping. Survey data indicated that working in a family business related to students' reporting greater perceived…

A drug prevention program involving 167 at-risk students in grades 8-10 at 9 Ontario schools resulted in reduced use of and less supportive attitudes toward alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and tranquilizers. Program success is attributed to high attendance and retention, community health professionals' participation, comprehensive approach, strong…

Describes the local implementation of a nationwide substance abuse prevention program linking the public middle school setting with a doctor-lawyer team to educate students about substance abuse. Focuses on implementation of the project, the role of school personnel, program content, program results, and implications for social work practice. (RJM)

Examines intergenerational conflict as a precursor to substance use among second-generation Asian-Indian adolescents. Based on systems theory, a structural model depicting the linkage and temporal sequelae of mediating factors is presented. Identifies risk and protective factors unique to Asian-Indian adolescents. Examines the impact of gender…

The overall effectiveness of patient education and counseling on preventive health behaviors was examined across published clinical trials, 1971-1994. The effectiveness of various approaches for modifying specific types of behaviors among patients without diagnosed disease was assessed. Multiple regression models indicated differences among…

Child welfare workers have long known that abuse of alcohol and drugs is a major problem with many parents on their caseloads. This article discusses motivational interviewing, an intervention technique with substance abusers which postulates that motivation is created in an interaction between the client and worker. Principles of motivational…

Researchers say the best way to prevent suicide is to find and treat kids with depression and substance-abuse problems. Schools should also develop a suicide-prevention policy, make curriculum decisions wisely, train staff as detectives, notify parents, make sure affected children get help, and attend to survivors. (Contains 13 references.) (MLH)

Reports that the Indian Health Service has identified alcoholism as the most significant health problem affecting American Indian communities. Asserts that education is a key answer to alcoholism--it provides students with a sense of their Indian identity and re-establishes traditional values, beliefs, and practices. (PGS)

In a study of Slovenian high school students (N=3,687) results show that those who had attempted suicide and those who had not differed in levels of self-esteem, emotional reaction to family problems, running away from home, and substance abuse. Differences in depression, suicide ideation, family suicide ideation, family suicide occurrence,…

The extent to which adolescents diagnosed with one or more personality disorders through the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised were at an elevated risk of substance abuse was studied with 441 undergraduates. Those with one or more personality disorders showed higher levels of psychiatric symptomatology and substance use. (SLD)

Surveyed more than 900 students in the rural northwest at the 4th-, 6th-, 8th-, and 10th-grade levels for alcohol and drug use. Measured self-reported usage of 17 substances. Reports descriptive statistical results by gender and grade-level usage rates. Discussion includes targeting drug prevention programs for specific grade and gender levels…

A survey of 374 Denver American Indians, mostly unemployed and low-income, examined substance abuse, psychological problems, and personal trauma for self and household; Native community mental health problems (including youth problems); counselor preferences; opinions about school testing of American Indian children; and Native community needs for…

The six articles of this special section focus on HIV/AIDS outreach efforts with: (1) African-American drug users; (2) homeless substance abusers; (3) women at high risk; (4) Latinos at high risk; and (5) African Americans at high risk. All the programs were part of a federally funded outreach effort aimed at HIV/AIDS prevention. (SLD)