The dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus is critical for spatial memory and is also thought to be involved in the formation of drug-related associative memory. Here, we attempt to test an aspect of the Gateway Hypothesis, by studying the effect of consecutive exposure to nicotine and cocaine on long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) in the DG. We…

Reports the results of a study of 1,325 young adults aged 24 to 25, to investigate the relationship between patterns of drug use and job separations. The relationships observed between job mobility and drug use support the general hypothesis that drug use predicts job turnover and decreased tenure on the job. (JDH)

Drug use was investigated in a follow-up cohort of former adolescents representative of high school students in New York State who were interviewed nine years later at ages 24-25. A typical progression from one type of drug to another was established, but this does not necessarily imply causal relationships between different drugs. (KH)

Investigated the relationship between dropping out of high school and substance use. Controlling for other important risk factors, the 1984 longitudinal survey data of people aged 19-27 indicated use of cigarettes, marijuana, and other illicit drugs increases the propensity to drop out and that the earlier the initiation into drugs the greater the…

Examined childrearing practices and child adjustment in longitudinal cohort of young adults for whom detailed drug histories were available. Maternal drug use retained statistically significant unique effect on child control problems when other parental variables were entered simultaneously in multiple regression equation and was one of two…

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)

The period of major risk for initiation to cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana is completed mostly by age 20, and to illicit drugs other than cocaine by age 21. Overall patterns are similar for both sexes, with men initiating all drugs (except prescribed psychoactives) at higher rates than women. (Author/GC)

A cohort of former New York State adolescents were reinterviewed nine years after an initial survey. Drug use predictions, it was found, can be based on age effects and prior types of drug use; marijuana use, for example, is necessary for progression to other illicit drugs. (KH)

Attempts to clarify the relationship between four psychological factors (depressive mood, normlessness, sense of isolation from the world, and self esteem) and drug use in a random sample of New York State public high school students. Focuses on relationships of subgroups of adolescents varying as to their socio-demographic characteristics (i.e.,…

Examined influence of maternal drug use and unconventional behavior on children's behavioral problems, cognitive functioning, and self-esteem for children aged eight and older born to teenage mothers. Findings from 581 mother-child dyads suggest that maternal attitudes and experiences as adolescent or young adult and current family structure had…

The relationship between dropping out of high school and substance use was explored using the 1984 National Longitudinal Survey of Young Adults. Relevant research literature is reviewed. Cross-sectional data indicated that high school dropouts were more involved with cigarettes and illicit drugs than were graduates and that those who obtained a…

Examines to what extent school absenteeism and dropout status as an adolescent have implications for performance of other roles subsequently in the life cycle. Domains of adult functioning studied among former truants and dropouts include occupational and educational attainment, health status, delinquency, and patterns of drug use. (GC)