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U.S. youths continue to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs at alarmingly high rates despite a temporary downward trend in the 1980s. Among an average 500,000 individuals affected annually by substance use, youths (ages 12 to 18) rank as one of the highest groups in morbidity and mortality rates, resulting in many negative consequences. As a result the effectiveness of many prevention strategies has been called into question. This article reviews the extent and social cost of adolescent substance use; standard prevention strategies; prevention under criticism; and salient aspects of successful prevention strategies. Special attention is given to the social influence model of prevention as an effective and amenable model for social work professionals.

Student team techniques, involving two conceptually distinct components--a cooperative reward structure, in which students are evaluated and rewarded based on the performance of the group as a whole, and a cooperative task structure, in which students are encouraged to peer tutor--have had positive effects compared to control methods on academic achievement. This study hypothesizes that there would be a positive effect on percent of time on task both for teams and for tutoring, and that there would be an interaction in favor of a team-tutoring combination. The subjects were 275 fourth-grade students in eleven classes in a primarily white rural school. Classes were assigned to one of four treatment conditions: teams and tutoring, teams only, tutoring only, and neither teams nor tutoring. Results of the experiment support two of the hypotheses; participation on learning teams did increase the percentage of time students spent on task, and also increased the percent of time students spent peer tutoring. On the other hand, no team tutoring interaction was found, and there was a peer tutoring effect on percent of time on task in favor of tutoring. However, team learning techniques have had positive effects on a variety of nonacademic variables, including cross-racial friendship, mutual concern, and self-esteem, and it is doubtful that these effects would be obtained without the tutoring component of student team learning techniques. (DS)

Discusses the definition of at-risk elementary and secondary school students and identifies the incidence and prevalence of various related stressors and behaviors. Examines assessment issues for at-risk students and the theoretical issues that pertain to early adolescence and educational adventure-based program approaches. Other issues are also explored. (RJM)

Analyzes a sample of 695 elderly adults to determine the elasticity of informal social support systems in response to declining health and the effects of such support on their health outcomes. Findings indicate that the extent of informal support is more likely to be bound by the social support network size than by the demand for care associated with declining health. (KW)

Describes how adolescents are affected by depression and alcohol dependence and offers a treatment plan for a dual diagnosis. The plan consists of an adolescent group and family program to facilitate and maintain behavioral changes in treatment. The benefits of this treatment and rationale for its application are discussed. (LSR)

A variety of objective measures have been developed to assess child abuse and neglect and that can be used by practitioners with minimal disruption in terms of time, energy, cost, and ease of use. Reviews instruments that child welfare workers, specifically, and practitioners involved in children's services, in general, can use in the assessment of child abuse and neglect. (DR)

Notes that, although accurate estimates of substance abuse are essential for adequate treatment planning, the value of national surveys in estimating local incidence of abuse is questionable. Compares local data on substance abuse with national incidence figures, reviewing studies that explore the problem of underreporting. Implications for research and treatment planning are elucidated throughout the manuscript. (Author/NB)

Presents data on the extent, nature, and consequences of adolescent substance abuse. Definition of substance abuse is considered. Discusses primary and secondary prevention programs, including programs targeting high-risk youth, school and peer group, families, and communities. Outlines tertiary prevention efforts and emphasizes the need for further treatment research. (RJM)

Notes that societal efforts to protect endangered children have resulted in increased responsibilities for social workers to identify, report, and provide testimony in suspected cases of abuse and neglect. Provides information to increase social workers' knowledge of legal requisites and system realities in child protection to help them make high-quality decisions. (Author/NB)