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The aim of the study was to examine the associations between depressive symptoms and smoking, concurrently and prospectively, in adolescents in America, the evaluation of depressive symptoms according to different group's smoking status, and the assessed associations between concurrent depressive level and success in smoking cessation. The participants were 2,735 boys and 2,890 girls from the Add Health data set. The prospective analysis indicated that participants with higher depressive symptoms in Wave I were more likely to start smoking and become regular smokers in Wave II. Moreover, regression analysis found that depressive symptoms in both Waves I and II predicted current smoking status. Findings are discussed within the context of the empirical and theoretical review and implications for social work practice are considered.Adolescence signifies a dynamic period of growth that can be perceived as enjoyable and enriching, tumultuous and challenging, or a combination of both for many adolescents. During this phase of development, adolescents' emotions and behaviors are more susceptible to influence by internal (physical) and external (social and environmental) factors than adults. Therefore, it may be important to examine factors that affect their well-being. Two such factors are smoking and depression.Over the past three decades, considerable numbers of studies have been done on the area of smoking and depression, and some of these studies have examined the

Evidence-based practices (EBP) is one of the more recent decision improvement processes that has captured the attention of many state governments and human service organizations at this time of critical service need. This article argues that EBP has indeed improved on the theoretical-based approaches of the past, but that there is a critical need to advance evidence collection and evaluation processes from the Dick Schoech is Dulak Professor, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, TX. Dr. Schoech specializes in administration and technology applications. He is chair of the HUSITA (Human Services Information Technology Applications), an international association of professionals dedicated to promoting the ethical and effective use of IT to serve humanity better (www.husita.org).

This chapter describes the usefulness of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) implant technology to monitor the elderly, who are aging in place in various retirement arrangements, and who need to maintain optimal functioning in the absence of available, and on location, service or care providers. The need to maintain functioning or sustainable aging is imperative for countries experiencing rapid growth as a demographic trend for the elderly. The chapter also raises some concerns including the social acceptance or rejection of RFID implant technology, despite the utility of the device. These concerns include a variety of political, social, and religious issues. Further, the chapter also attempts to show how RFID implant technology could be used in combination with other emerging technologies to maintain physical, emotional, and social functioning among the growing population of elderly. What follows is the introduction and a partial literature review on emergent elderly needs, and on the utilization of RFID and other technologies.

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