NCJ Number
114790
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 14-26
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
To elucidate earlier findings of reduced drug and alcohol use among church members and variations in use as a function of specific religious group affiliation, a 1985 survey was conducted of 143 church leaders of pastors representing 24 types of religious groups in a western city.
Abstract
While nearly all respondents felt that their churches should have an influence on members' alcohol and drug use, less than half actually had youth substance use education programs. Only 18 percent felt that alcohol was a serious problem, and only 13 percent perceived drug use as a serious problem. In addition, respondents rarely counseled youth on drug or alcohol use. Jewish and Catholic denominations had the lowest percentages of both drug and alcohol programs. The Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and Church of the Latter Day Saints had the highest percentages of substance use education programs. A higher percentage of fundamentalist churches forbade the use of alcohol and drugs, while more liberal churches provided guidelines for use or information about drugs and alcohol. Fundamentalist programs that were the greatest deterrents to juvenile substance use had programs that reflected negative attitudes toward substance abuse, while those that were more liberal and most effective in preventing heavy substance use had programs that were more prescriptive than proscriptive. 5 tables and 22 references. (Author abstract modified)