Risk Factors

Through research, the following risk factors have been identified. Because alcohol and other drugs use/abuse is complex, these factors only identify risk for problems with substances. Often substance abuse can be avoided through positive family, school, and community prevention efforts.

Community Risk Factors
- Economic and social deprivation
- Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization
- Community laws and norms favorable toward drug use
- Availability of drugs
Family Risk Factors
- Family history of alcoholism
- Family management problems
- Parental drug use and positive attitudes toward use
School Risk Factors
- Low commitment to school
- Academic failure
- Early antisocial behavior
Individual/Peer Risk Factors
- Alienation or rebelliousness
- Antisocial behavior in early adolescence
- Friends who use drugs
- Favorable attitudes toward drug use
- Early first use of drugs

Taken from the works of J. David Hawkins and Richard Catalano, Jr. For further information, refer to Communities that Care: action for drug abuse prevention (1992, Jossey-Bass Publishers).

This document was last updated 8/13/97 by Chandra Hawley.
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1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth - Director
> Cost* $30 ? $217.50 $40 ? ? $49.95 Developmental appropriateness ++ ++ ++ + +++ +++ +++ Appeal to Students ++ ++ ++ ++ +++ ++ +++ Normative Education ++ 0 ++ 0 +++ +++ ++ Influences +++ ++ + ++ ++ ++ ++ Advertising + ++ + + ++ + + Refusal Skills ++ + + + + ++ 0 Self-Esteem 0 +++ + ++ 0 0 ++ Decision Making + +++ + ++ ++ 0 +++ Communication Skills 0 + + ++ 0 0 ++ Social Skills 0 + + + 0 + ++

*Cost is per classroom of 30 students.
Key: + it's in there
     ++ it's good
     +++ it's great
     0 it's missing

Some other worthwhile programs:

SMARTMoves (1993): developed by Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Focuses on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use as well as sexuality.
BARN - Body Awareness Resource Network (revised 1991): developed by a research team at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. An interactive computer program that uses games, interactive interviews and simulations to teach skills to make healthy choices about alcohol, drugs, smoking, stress, sexuality, and AIDS.

In all, Making the Grade rates several dozen programs. These are only a few of the best! For more information about Making the Grade, contact Drug Strategies at 2445 M Street, NW, Suite 480, Washington, D.C. 20037. Phone (202)663-6090

How to find the above resources:

Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program	Amps Project 1016 Catherine Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1620 (313)998-7255
BARN	Learning Multi-Systems, Inc. 320 Holtzman Road Madison, WI 53713 (800)362-7323
Drug Proof	American Guidance Service 4201 Woodland Road Circle Pines, MN 55014-1796 (800)328-2560
From Peer Pressure to Peer Support	Johnson Institute 7151 Metro Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55439-2122 (800)231-5165
Life Skills Training	Princeton Health Press 414 Wall Street Princeton, NJ 08540 (609)921-0540
Ombudsman	The Drug Education Center 1117 East Morehead Charlotte, NC 28204 (704)375-3784
Project Northland	Partnerships for Youth Health University of Minnesota 1300 S. 2Nd Street, Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015
SMARTMoves	Boys &;Girls Clubs of America 1230 W. Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30309-3494 (404)815-5700
Project STAR	USC/PR 1540 Alcazar Street, Suite 210H Los Angeles, CA 90033 (213)342-2686

This document was last updated 8/13/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright