NCJ Number
128411
Editor(s)
R I DuPont
Date Published
1989
Length
115 pages
Annotation
A major change in alcohol and other drug (AOD) use has occurred in the past 20 years in the United States, and parents and communities have become increasingly concerned about youth use of AOD's especially marijuana and cocaine.
Abstract
The crisis in AOD use is clarified by epidemiological studies that examine rates of use, determine multiple factors involved in use, and suggest strategies to reduce use. The realization that AOD use by teenagers is a serious problem has stimulated the need to develop prevention initiatives for adolescents and preadolescents. Efforts to prevent AOD use can be divided into three broad categories: programs targeted specifically to the needs of particular groups of young people, large-scale approaches focusing broadly on youth in a given school or community, and individualized approaches by parents and other persons directly involved with teenagers. Recent studies indicate that some youth are more vulnerable to AOD problems than others. Risk factors for vulnerable youth focus on family, peer, psychological, biological, and community influences. In examining at-risk youth and prevention strategies, the report outlines the nature of AOD problems in the United States, defines the drug use epidemic, and reviews the current state of knowledge about AOD prevention. The report also analyzes specific prevention programs with attention paid to general and targeted programs to reduce the risk of AOD use, individualized prevention efforts, and the dilemma of helping young people versus punishing destructive behavior. Appendixes contain draft checklists for identifying at-risk youth. 207 references, 6 tables, and 4 figures