A sample of 25 children exposed prenatally to cocaine was compared with a control group of 18 children not exposed to any drugs prenatally. Using the AGS (American Guidance Service) Screening Profile, results indicated that the control group was significantly superior on all subtests except for the Motor Coordination and Speech Articulation…

Presents some explanations for the doubling of the young adult suicide rate since 1950. Analyzes the diagnoses and population groups that contribute the most to this increase. Groups that can be readily affected by suicide reduction measures are discussed, and methods for reducing suicide are proposed. (JPS)

Adolescents (n=650) rated 10 activities involving drug and alcohol use, unprotected sexual intercourse, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 6 domains concerning risk to self or others, pleasure, control, peer approval, and parental disapproval. A factor analysis of the items revealed three second-order factors: inherent danger,…

A controlled, parent-targeted intervention followed two cohorts of students (1,034 fifth graders and 1,244 seventh graders) to determine the effects of encouraging parents to intervene in risk factors for adolescent tobacco and alcohol use. Such programs should focus on protective factors rather than on control of risk factors. (SLD)

Eighth grade followup of Adolescent Decision-Making Program implemented in sixth grade showed intervention maintained positive effect on mean tobacco use; no differences for mean alcohol, marijuana, or hard drug use between experimentals (n=545) and controls (n=530). Attrition analyses suggest that positive effect for tobacco use was likely even…

The U.S. family--the backbone of earlier societies--is rapidly degenerating, indicating the need for a social or educational agency surrogate for family caring and supervision. Time has demonstrated value-neutral education's devastating effects on our nation and our social interactions. Educators must help emerging adolescents form realistic…

A survey of 2,635 middle school and high school students indicates that drug culture knowledge (DCK) is positively correlated with substance abuse, DCK's reliability increases with age, DCK is unrelated to academic knowledge acquired in school, and youth exposed to peers' substance use in school have more DCK. (SLD)

Surveyed all secondary school students (n=1,175) in rural county school system to assess prevalence rates of substance use for teenagers and their parents. Age, sex, and race were related to frequency and type of substance abuse. Lifestyle variables such as music preferences, sexual activity, and choice of friends also related to substance use.…

This article examines three successive surveys of 5th- though 12th-grade students who were exposed to a variety of both school- and community-based prevention and intervention programs. The surveys indicated a decrease in drug use. The author offers her evaluation of the perceived effectiveness of the community's prevention efforts. (RJM)

This study provides empirical data on the substance use behaviors of delinquent and homeless youths. Results indicate that these children use tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs at higher rates than adolescents in general. Drug education and prevention programs must be tailored to fit the needs of these at-risk populations. (RJM)

This study compared how alcohol effect expectancies and reaction expectancies related to one another and to male and female college students' drinking behavior. Analyses indicated that different types and patterns of expectancies were gender specific. Discusses results in terms of the nature of gender/expectancy/drinking relationships. (RJM)

Describes a program for older adolescents exhibiting substance use problems. After initial assessment and referral, most patients enter outpatient treatment groups. Groups fulfill three purposes: (1) Staff monitors clients; (2) Help clients recognize the promise of recovery; and (3) Change behavior. Difficulties of working with multiple community…

Discusses the use of pretend play as a cognitive assessment tool. Examines the failure of developmental progression of play in preterm, drug-exposed, malnourished, Down's syndrome, mentally retarded, and autistic children. Examines individual differences in play, and the relationship between language and play, in these groups. (AC)

Three models reflecting stages of substance abuse were tested using path analysis with subsamples of 626 to 850 subjects. Models indicate that measures of religiosity and religious conservatism help explain substance use. Results suggest that explanations of substance abuse can be enhanced through models using stage of drug involvement. (SLD)

Investigated 6000 predominantly American-Indian adolescents' self-reported family connectedness, educational commitment, and risk-taking behavior. Surveys indicated that low family connectedness related to decreased educational commitment and increased risk of absenteeism, substance use, and purchase of substances on campus. American Indian…