Underage drinking continues to be a public health concern, partially due to the ease in which adolescents obtain alcohol and consume it in private locations. States and municipalities have implemented strategies to counter-act this, including adopting public policies called social host policies, despite limited evidence of effectiveness.…

The purpose of this study was to determine cigarette brand preference trends and differences in Marlboro smokers in smoking-related attitudes and behaviors from smokers of other brands. This study analyzed data from 25,027 adolescents represented in the 2000, 2003, and 2007 Philippine Global Youth Tobacco Surveys. Results indicated that from 2000…

Associations among six different domains of self-esteem (peers, school, family, sports/athletics, body image, and global self-worth) and risk behaviors related to substance use and suicidality were investigated in a sample of South African adolescents. Students enrolled in Grades 8 and 11 at independent secondary schools in Cape Town (N = 116)…

Describes Ohio's Prevention Evaluation Project (PEP), that developed a questionnaire to assess behavioral and attitudinal outcomes in primary drug abuse prevention programs targeting young people aged twelve to seventeen. One of PEP's principal achievements was the inclusion of community prevention program providers in the evaluation instrument…

Examines the relationship of ethnic identity to drug use in adolescents (N=127). Results show that the questionnaire measures used in this study are effective. White adolescents scored lower in ethnic identity. In the ethnic minority samples, high levels of cultural identity were associated with heavy drug use. (Author/MKA)

Examines drug use and eating behaviors of northern Nevadan adolescents (N=401). Results indicate that high-risk users less frequently ate lunch, meals at home, or with their family and ate more often at convenience stores, fast food restaurants, or with their friends. Gender differences are examined. Implications for prevention programming and…

Investigates whether Nebraska schools with Student Assistance Programs (SAP) are associated with reduced alcohol use and a higher level of academic achievement. Results show that students from schools with a SAP reported lower alcohol use and a significant difference in academic achievement. Results suggest that further research is needed.…

Discusses a school-based prevention program initiated to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among adolescents. Investigates changes in reported ATOD use from 1987 to 1991. Significant decreases were found for use of most drugs with the exception of alcohol. Involvement in problem behaviors was the most salient risk factor whereas…

Examines whether peer-led drug prevention programs are preferable to adult-led programs for students (N=2,447) in eighth through eleventh grades. Results show that all input measures and outcome measures were perceived as more positive in the peer-led model. Since the differences found were small this study does not prove with certainty that the…

A year-long qualitative study examined seven formerly-addicted alcoholic youth committed to recovery to determine how addicted youth become and remain sober. Bending to social stress, including racism and ethnic prejudice, three participants relapsed. However, personal commitment augmented by familial, community, spiritual, and educational support…

Assesses issues related to marijuana use and cessation with a group of high school students (N=842). Results show that interest in quitting marijuana use was high; several social images associated with marijuana use were positive; subjects expressed a lack of confidence in cessation programs; and subjects believed that self-help or punitive…

Data pertaining to the reputations, self-concepts, and coping strategies of secondary-school Volatile Solvent Users (VSUs; n=31), ex-VSUs (n=44), and non-VSUs (n=48) in Western Australia were obtained. Findings reveal that differences between the groups were more attributable to reputation enhancement than to self-concept or coping strategies.…

Investigated students' (N=1,184) self-reported interventions in the alcohol-, tobacco-, illicit-drug use, and drinking-driving of their friends. Results indicate that almost one-third of students intervened in friends' illegal drug use and drinking-driving, whereas about one-half intervened with smoking. Intervenors were usually older and worked…

Collected data on the drinking behavior of 415 pregnant adolescents over a five-year period to examine relationships between knowledge and attitudes about drinking and drinking behavior. Results indicate that knowledge about drinking was related to a decrease in drinking among drinkers during pregnancy. Other results are reported. (RJM)

Examined the effects of refining a high school-based, indicated drug prevention program which integrates social support and life-skills training. Process evaluation of the program revealed the need for program enhancements to address underestimated levels of depression, anger, and suicidal behaviors and to ensure that core content was consistently…