Investigated rates of birth, divorce, marriage, and unemployment for subgroups in Canada and the United States and their effects on suicide rates. In Canada, domestic integration and the economy predicted youth suicide rates more accurately than they did adult rates. The United States had less variation in predictors for age groups. (RJM)

This study identified differences and similarities among the perceptions of adult and adolescent community members regarding drug use patterns and practices. A written questionnaire was administered to 5,128 adolescents from grades 7 through 12 in the rural inland northwest, and a similar questionnaire was administered to over 900 adults in the…

This study identifies specific nondrug alternatives most used to achieve a specific mood or state of consciousness alteration. Analysis showed social, physical, and risk-taking activities were used most frequently to achieve positive states and distracting activity, discussion with friend, and personal contemplation were used most frequently to…

A study was conducted to compare the criminal behavior of gang members and nongang at-risk youths in four urban and suburban communities, Denver (Colorado), Aurora (Colorado), Broward County (Florida), and Cleveland (Ohio). The first three communities were emergent, rather than chronic, gang environments, but in Cleveland, information on gangs…

The attributes of adolescents involved in marihuana and nonmarihuana-using peer groups are described. Adolescent subcultures are highly differentiated and involvement with peers does not necessarily entail rejection and estrangement from parents. (Author/AM)

In 1970, 1974 and 1978 similar surveys of alcohol and drug use were conducted using 10% random samples of Vancouver secondary school students (grades 8-12). The reported use of alcohol increased from 61% in 1970 to 71% in 1974 and 78% in 1978, while the use of cannabis increased from 39% in 1970 to 42% in 1974 and 47% in 1978. The use of tobacco,…

Found early permission to date related to: feelings of being confident, independent, and tired; good relationship with mother; reported drinking and drug abuse problems; and frequent drug use. Found late permission related to feelings of being unsure, dependent, and refreshed; poor relationship with mother; maternal overstrictness; and serious…

Investigated the extent of alcohol consumption among the educable mentally-retarded (EMR) as compared to their nonretarded peers, and identified social and demographic variables which relate to drinking behavior. Findings revealed that there was a more prevalent alcohol use among the nonretarded than the EMR students. (Author)

THE BASIC PURPOSES OF THIS LONGITUDINAL STUDY WERE TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION IS WORTHWHILE IN TERMS OF TIME, EFFORT, AND EXPENDITURES OF FUNDS, AND TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATIONS ON THE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES OF THE SCHOOL. THE SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 10 WISCONSIN COMMUNITIES, 5 WITH…

Responses of secondary students (N=478) indicate track position (college-bound versus non-college-bound students) is negatively associated with school misconduct and youth deviance. This pattern obtains when sex and social class are introduced as statistical controls and suggests that students may become involved in deviance as a result of a low…

Jones and Hartmann (1988) investigated the relation between identity status and experimental substance use among adolescents in junior and senior high schools, identifying differences in substance use across four identity statuses for adolescents in general. This study was conducted to examine the generalizability of these differences across…

The current prevalence of drug use among American high school seniors (classes of 1975 through 1978) was investigated through a program entitled "Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth," conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and funded by the National Institute on Drug…

Alcohol and drug use among high school and college students was investigated in a sample of suburban high school (N=1,274) and college (N=468) students. Alcohol consumption was very high (78%), with more than half of those using alcohol doing so on at least a weekly basis. While alcohol use was pronounced, 96% of those surveyed reported that…

Surveys of drug and alcohol use conducted with 4,367 Mexican-American and 3,790 White non-Hispanic eighth and twelfth graders from similar communities find generally higher rates of substance use by Mexican Americans based on lifetime prevalence and last reported use and higher frequency of high risk drug behaviors. (SLD)