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Two school-based primary prevention interventions for adolescent depressive symptomatology and disorder were examined in separate studies with high school samples of 9th and 10th-grade adolescents. In Study 1, a three-session educational intervention was associated with a short-term reduction in extreme-scoring cases of depressive symptoms among boys, but not girls, when compared to a randomly assigned control condition. However, this effect was not sustained over a 12-week follow-up period. In Study 2, a five-session behavioral skills training intervention, failed to demonstrate any differences compared to a random control condition. Neither of the two interventions had any effect on depression knowledge, attitudes toward treatment, or actual treatment seeking. The failure of these interventions to yield long-term effects is discussed in the context of successful prevention interventions for nonneurotic problem behaviors. The authors conclude that depression may be best prevented with a competency-based intervention targeting several disorders.

Contingency management (CM) rapidly reduces cocaine use, but its effects subside after treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) produces reductions months after treatment. Combined, the 2 might be complementary. One hundred ninety-three cocaine-using methadone-maintained outpatients were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of group therapy (CBT or a control condition) and voucher availability (CM contingent on cocaine-negative urine or noncontingent). Follow-ups occurred 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment. Primary outcome was cocaine-negative urine (urinalysis 3 times/week during treatment and once at each follow-up). During treatment, initial effects of CM were dampened by CBT. Posttreatment, there were signs of additive benefits, significant in 3- versus 12-month contrasts. Former CBT participants were also more likely to acknowledge cocaine use and its effects and to report employment.

Gender differences in perception of risk associated with use of alcohol and other drugs were assessed among a sample of 1,244 undergraduates at a major Pacific Northwest university. Reexamination of data from a self-administered questionnaire revealed that females were more likely than males to perceive greater risk with use of alcohol and other drugs. In particular, female perceptions of risk were significantly different from males (P < .001) for most levels of alcohol use and for perception of risk for occasional use of psychedelics, heroin, and diet pills. Our findings suggest the need for continued gender-specific research (and health education) in substance abuse prevention.

Harm reduction is a new paradigm now emerging in the field of drug education. This strategy recognizes that people always have and always will use drugs and, therefore, attempts to minimize the potential hazards associated with drug use rather than the use itself. The rationale for a harm reduction strategy is presented, followed by an example of the kind of needs assessment which may be needed for planning a harm reduction strategy.

This study examined the correlations of 21 variables categorized into sociodemographic, subjective quality of life, stress, problem behavior, and health behavior predictors of at-risk and low-risk depressive symptomatology for a sample of 1056 adolescents attending public school. Discriminant function analysis showed lower life satisfaction, higher stress, and perceived unattractiveness as major discriminating variables for at-risk (CES-Depression score greater than 23) versus low-risk depressed adolescents. Only two problem behaviors were significant, smoking for girls and hard drug use for boys.

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Frequency of symptoms of depression and selected health-related practices and events were measured in a sample of 219 high school students. Students reported numerous symptoms of depression. Relative proportions of boys and girls reporting symptoms of depression were not significantly different. However, girls reported experiencing more severe depression than their male counterparts. Depression correlated significantly with several of the 22 health practices and states of affect examined. Both the determinants and manifestations of depression in adolescent cohorts require in-depth investigation. Possible implications for school health personnel are discussed.