Summarizes major, recent research findings concerning illegal alcohol use and intoxicated driving among American youth. Examines what research revealed about the nature of underage drinking and driving; what health, social, and legal ramifications are associated with drinking and driving; and what characteristics and behavioral patterns are found…

Notes that Jews have long been recognized for their moderate drinking practices and for their low rates of alcohol problems. Reviews body of literature on Jewish drinking, extracts the factors that appear to provide Jews with their "immunity," and discusses how these factors may be applied to prevention programs. (Author/NB)

Examines the incidence of driving under the influence (DUI) one year prior to, and one year following the partial lifting of a complete Sunday sales ban on alcohol. Data did not reveal a statistically significant increase in DUIs. Results suggest that limited alcohol consumption does not increase alcohol-impaired driving. (RJM)

Explores the relationship between alcohol-induced blackouts and alcohol expectancies in 123 college students. Found significant correlations between students' alcohol expectancies, level of alcohol abuse, and blackout history. Students who experienced blackouts had higher positive alcohol expectancies than those without blackouts. Other findings…

Reviews literature on drinking among college students and reports gender variations in drinking patterns and problems among this population. Examines incidence of drinking, frequency and consumption of drinking, gender differential, beverage preferences, drinking locations, and drinking problems. Concludes that higher percentage of college men…

Assessed viewpoints of 63 university students, 58 law enforcement officers, 48 bartenders, 26 beer distributor employees, and 46 health educators regarding level of irresponsibility perceived to be associated with specific alcohol-related behaviors. Subjects agreed that drinking behavior resulting in physical injury, legal trouble, or failure to…

In a college student sample, significant correlations were found between students' alcohol abuse scores, blackout risk taking, and intrusiveness of stressful thoughts about the blackout incident. Men were significantly more likely than women to take risks during the blackout incident and to experience more stressful intrusive thoughts afterward.…

Reports the results of a study on the ways in which alcohol is built into the social role and social life of college students. Provides direct support for the idea that the patterns of drinking alcoholic beverages are integral to social and structural aspects of college. (LKS)

American alcohol education and prevention efforts for youth emphasize abstinence. In support of this approach, epidemiologists conclude that early drinking by adolescents increases the lifetime likelihood of alcohol dependence and that overall drinking levels in a society are directly linked to drinking problems. At the same time, cultural,…

Administered questionnaire on college student drinking problems and attitudes to 167 Australian college students. Compared results to those obtained in previous studies of students in United States and Singapore. Found number of significant sex differences in drinking patterns and behaviors of Australian college men and women. Australian subjects…

Assigned 1,426 university students to four intervention groups. A "norm-setting" intervention program--used to study perceptions and expectations of drinking--was of chief interest. This group was associated with the greatest reductions in the drinking norms attributed to the student body, close friends, living groups, and parents. (RJM)

Examines whether the self-management variables of time management and lifestyle organization differentiated problem-drinking and nonproblem-drinking college students. Results indicate that self-reported problem-drinkers were more likely to possess lower levels of proficiency in time management and lifestyle organization skills than…

Anonymous questionnaires administered to 1283 middle school/high school students and 930 college students revealed that most of these students viewed all types of alcohol intervention programs as somewhat effective in reducing alcohol abuse among youth. Analyses revealed that drinking motivations and behavior produced a significant effect on the…

A sample of 18 focus groups (subject ages 15-24) revealed young people's clear opinions on what constitutes an effective drinking and driving education program. Such programs should be student-centered, conducted in small group settings, emphasize real-life situations, and be delivered by people affected by drinking and driving. (RJM)

Reports the results of a study concerning college student characteristics and alcohol consumption. In general, family income was positively associated with likelihood of drinking. In the lowest income category, men were more likely to drink than women; in the highest income category, women were more likely to drink than men. (LKS)