Young injecting drug users are a particularly vulnerable group for Hepatitis C (HCV) infection. One method for minimising the risk of contraction of Hepatitis C for amphetamine users (not widely explored in the research to date) is through encouraging non-injecting routes of administration (NIROA). Self-report data from 150 young injecting…

A school district's Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) prevention programs are analyzed. A protocol is developed to collect data on school-based AOD prevention programs. (Author)

Evaluates the Personal Experience Inventory for convergent and predictive validity in a clinical sample of 140 youths being evaluated for drug treatment referral. Compares problem severity scales to concurrent client and parent measures of drug abuse and related psychosocial functioning at intake and one year later, to counselor intake ratings, to…

Reviews research on student assistance programs for early intervention in substance abuse and provides information from the evaluation of a multischool program in Washington state. Despite the widespread adoption of these programs, there is little substantiation of their effectiveness. Although participating students generally show improvements,…

Reports the findings of a study that examined gender differences of local community drug prevention workers regarding client participation, coping and job satisfaction, and the correlation between them. Results and recommendations are discussed. (Author/GCP)

Explores gender differences in the etiology and consequences of alcohol abuse among older adolescents. No significant differences were found in the etiology of alcohol abuse; however, men were more likely to have neglected duties, while women were more likely to have experienced blackouts and to have lost friends as a result of drinking.…

Group counseling with black adolescent substance users has been noticeably absent from the literature. Addresses some critical issues and provides some recommendations, based on personal clinical experience, when providing counseling with this population. (Author)

Outlines the process of intervention on the student substance user enrolled in public school. Proposes that, with careful planning, intervention for the student substance user is a firm, expeditious, and appropriate response to chemical dependency. Steps are outlined to help family and friends offer assistance to the chemically dependent students.…

Study explored relationship of depressed mood and gender to treatment response in adolescents admitted to Emergency Department (ED) for alcohol-related incidents. Findings showed depressed mood reported at ED visit appears to motivate drinking reductions in early- to mid-adolescent girls. Clinicians may be able to capitalize on depressive symptoms…

Recent data on 9th-12th grade methamphetamine use (both lifetime and last month prevalence) are summarized. Since 1992 methamphetamine use has increased. There were no significant differences in use noted across school year. Males are more likely to use than females, although female use has also increased. Implications for research, prevention,…

Examines two treatment strategies on children's drug refusal skills and drug-related information. Thirty-four third graders were randomly assigned to one of three groups: rehearsal-plus, general information, and control. Subjects in the rehearsal-plus groups showed significantly improved behavioral skills and elaborative rehearsal. Subjects in the…

Substance abusing adolescents (n=30) with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance abusing non-ADHD (n=30) adolescents were compared in terms of treatment outcomes. Although treatment outcomes did not vary significantly, a difference was observed in actual length of stay. Those with a behavior diagnosis stayed an average of 36…

Used data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse to estimate the relative risk of initiating non-medical drug use of adolescents aged 12-17 in families without both biological parents present, compared to those living with both biological parents. Adolescents in families without both biological parents were more likely to initiate drug…

Asked 96 students, grades 3, 6, 8, 12, about various teaching methods (expert-led, teacher-led, peer-led, and parent in home) commonly employed in substance abuse education. Students generally believed that each type of would positively influence drug- and alcohol-related knowledge but not behavior. Expert-led discussions were believed the most…

Reports on the effectiveness of a drug abuse prevention intervention with a predominantly minority sample of seventh-grade students (N=721). Results indicate that this approach was effective on several behavioral measures of current drug use, including measures of polydrug use and on intention measures relevant to future drug use. (RJM)