This study reports on findings from the first two years of a study to compare a standard Life Skill Training (LST) program with an infused (I-LST) approach. Nine small, rural school districts were randomly assigned to LST, I-LST, or control conditions in grade seven. The LST program significantly reduced alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana use,…

This study compared the cost-effectiveness of Life Skills Training (LST) to a LST curriculum infusion approach (I-LST) and to control schools. Male and female seventh graders from nine rural schools (3 in each condition) were followed for two years. Path models were used to test the main effect and were modeled separately for males and females.…

Drinking games among American college students, although popular, contribute significantly to excessive drinking and alcohol-related problems. Drinking games appear to facilitate socialization, and are especially prevalent among younger students. This article reviews the qualitative and quantitative research on drinking games. Findings from…

College students were randomly assigned to receive either (a) standard alcohol programming (SAP) or (b) SAP plus an intervention designed to change perceptions of alcohol norms (PAN). Effects of the intervention delivered during one class period (i.e., 55 minutes) were assessed using pre- and post-intervention surveys about personal alcohol use…

The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network (OSAM) is designed to provide accurate, timely, qualitatively-oriented epidemiologic descriptions of substance abuse trends and emerging problems in the state's major urban and rural areas. Use of qualitative methods in identifying and assessing substance abuse practices in local communities is one of…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally tailored smoking prevention program for Asian American youth (Youth-PASS). A field-tested questionnaire was used to solicit information from participants on knowledge, attitudes and behaviors associated with tobacco and tobacco use, as well as satisfaction with prevention program content and…

Associations between self-esteem and abuse of alcohol and psychoactive substances have been documented in empirical studies involving high school and college students. No research exists that addresses whether this association generalizes to adult homeless substance users. The current study uses secondary data analysis methodology to evaluate an…

This study provides the first empirical investigation of Fatal Vision Goggles as a prevention tool aimed at changing attitudes toward drinking and driving. College students (N = 163) were randomly assigned to three groups: A control group, a group wearing the goggles, and a group of onlookers who were observing those wearing the goggles. Attitudes…

Study evaluated training program to train lay health volunteers in facilitating smoking cession for a low-income, African American community. Program applied constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory, namely self-efficacy and outcome expectations relating to the processes of behavioral change. Results highlighted changes in knowledge, outcome…

Paper examines impact of a six-month social norms marketing intervention designed to reduce alcohol use among students attending a small, private university. Results indicate that little change in student alcohol use or perception of drinking norms occurred following the intervention. Gender effect was noted in the analysis with female students…

Experiment was conducted to see if respondents providing identification would be as forthcoming regarding substance use as anonymous respondents. No statistically significant differences were found between 2 groups' self-reported substance use over the previous 12 months. Findings suggest the lack of anonymity does not necessarily impede the same…

Study assessed relative influence of perceived level of support for adolescent's alcohol use by best friends, most students in school, live-in parents/guardians, and adults in neighborhood/community. Findings revealed some differences by sex and grade level, and the different kinds of drinking behavior. Prevention programs including all four…

Research evaluated psychometric properties of College Alcohol Problem Scale (CAPS) using a sample of African American college students. CAPS was evaluated for reliability and accuracy in identifying potential abusive drinkers. Results indicate that CAPS is a reliable and effective device for identification of abusive drinking among African…

Study assessed extent to which peer-influence vulnerability moderates the relationship between campus drinking norms and undergraduates' alcohol use, using the Attention to Social Comparison Information subscale. Students high in attention to social comparison information who believed others were frequent, heavy users of alcohol reported highest…

Study compared marijuana urinalysis results to self-reported marijuana use from 33,313 juvenile arrestees surveyed through the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program (ADAM) between 1991 and 1997. While strength of agreement between the two measures varied by jurisdiction, intrajurisdictional agreements were consistent over time. Findings suggest…