A survey of a representative sample of high school students in New York State revealed that involvement with other drug using adolescents is a more important correlate of marijuana use than is parental use of psychoactive drugs or alcohol. Implications of these data for parental and peer influence, the generation gap, and social change are…

This document contains papers from a conference which targeted the needs and interests of counselors working with families. Individual papers in the book include: (1) "Economic, Social and Political Influences on Families" (Lynda Henley Walters); (2) "Family Structures and Stresses: A Counseling Perspective" (Edwin Herr); (3) "Cultural Diversity…

Jefferson County, Kentucky youth detention practices were studied after alleged incidents of physical and sexual abuse. For many years juvenile detention practices had been the subject of local controversy. Strict, objective, and specific criteria for detention were implemented on a trial basis. These criteria described specific crimes or…

Schools today face serious, daily threats to the safety of students and staff. Students and school employees become victims when experiencing a crime against themselves or when threatened by the perpetration of a crime. On school grounds, these crimes are most often assaults, robberies, and extortion. Recent studies have highlighted the…

In two chapters, this report describes the objectives of the Coalition for National Service, a group of individuals and organizations that support state and local youth service initiatives, foster discussion and debate on national service, and endorse a national service action agenda. Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of the status of, and…

During the 3-year period from 1983 through 1985, 80 Oregon teenagers intentionally took their own lives, making suicide second only to accidents as the leading cause of death among Oregon teenagers. Data on suicides committed by individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 were retrieved from death certificates on file with the Oregon Health Division…

This paper, which was presented as testimony at the State of New York hearing on dropouts, presents three causes for the high dropout rates of Black and Hispanic students and offers some solutions. It is noted that in large cities dropout rates range from as high as 50% to 70% among Blacks and Hispanics. The reasons cited for these high rates are:…

This document presents statistics on the characteristics of first commitments from the California Youth Authority (CYA). Offense categories used in the report include violent offenses, property offenses, narcotic and drug offenses, and others. Several highlights of first commitment characteristics are reported: (1) from 1985 to 1986, CYA…

Since 1979, the Billy Mills Indian Youth Leadership Program has attempted to address the special growing up problems related to existence in two cultures of approximately 10,000 Indian youth. The program involves Indian youth in processes and activities that provide opportunities to enhance their self-image; develop their leadership potential; and…

This document presents the transcripts of the Congressional hearings on the role of the media in drug education and prevention efforts. The opening statement by subcommittee chairman, Senator Paula Hawkins, is presented, outlining the seriousness of the drug abuse problem in this country and emphasizing the need for preventive action. Statements…

These hearings on teenagers in crisis deal with many of the problems faced by adolescents, with a special emphasis on suicide. Other topics which are discussed include child abuse, drug abuse, pregnancy, youth employment, mass media influences, the lack of parental guidance, and after school activities. Testimony is recorded from 11 witnesses…

Following a brief introduction, chapter 2 presents a typology of runaways in which four types of runaways are profiled (healthy, unhealthy, curious, chronic). The behaviors of each type are described and the services needed by each are discussed. General techniques for working with runaways are detailed, including developing a runaway profile,…

This document contains testimony and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing held to examine youth and the justice system. Factors which might lead to behavior problems among the young are identified and ways to ameliorate those conditions and prevent delinquency and incarceration of youths are considered. Witnesses include two juvenile…

Author questioned not only the assumptions and assertions of the Coleman Report, but also the probability of the proposals the panel made. (Editor/RK)