Abstract
Discusses peer influence as a key factor in drug use. Analyzes five research studies that examine the relationahip. Peer influence vs. parental involvement. Effects of peer affiliation and family structure. Risk behaviors and peer relationships. Peer pressure, influence of drug-using peers. Refusal skills. Adolescent alcohol use. Social and emotional development factors.

From the Paper
"Introduction

A. Purpose
The prevalence of drug use among adolescents is a disturbing phenomenon that has been investigated for decades. When adolescents abuse drugs, their lives can be adversely affected (Jenkins & Zunguze, 1998, p. 811; Wynn, Schulenberg, Kloska, & Laetz, 1997, p. 390). In an effort to uncover the underlying causes of this phenomenon, researchers have highlighted peer influence as one of the key factors in determining drug use (Jenkins & Zunguze, 1998, p. 811). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analyze research articles that examine the relationship between peer influence and drug use among adolescents.

B. Organization"

Abstract
This paper relates that a sample of 200 university students, who have been diagnosed with clinical depression, were surveyed using questionnaires in order to test the correlation factor between clinical depression and illegal drug use. The paper points out that questionnaires revealed that 68% of the students had responded in the affirmative when questioned if they had used illegal drugs while battling clinical depression. The paper indicates that these results prove that clinically depressed students often seek to escape their stressful situations through the hallucinatory trance effect offered by illegal drugs. The paper also includes a description of the methodology and a table.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion

From the Paper
"In university and academic campuses all over the world, students increasingly feel the need to excel in their academic life as well as effectively play multi-faceted roles in their familial and societal lives. Burdened with increasing academic loads, parental and peer pressure, students often become depressed and withdrawn when they fail to meet expectations. While some students are quick to recover and once again join the academic fray, for others however, the depressive symptoms linger for much longer."

Tags:hypothesis, temporary escape, sample population, chi-square administration

Abstract
This paper discusses injection drug use as it pertains to men and women, respectively and together. The author points out risks of drug addiction and/or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

From the Paper
"Injection drug use is risky for a host of reasons and may affect men and women differently. However, the essence of that risk may be broken down into two broad categories -- addiction-risk and sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk. Of course, these categories mutual ..."

Tags:injection drug use, addiction, sexually transmitted disease

Abstract
The paper looks at how the Commission of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (CBASSE) stated that while U.S. policies pertaining to illegal drugs do address some of the issues related to drug use and health, they fall extremely short of tackling the full scope of the issue in the nation ("Informing", 2001, p. 2). The paper explains that this may be because the policies that are created today to address an issue of health and drug use could change within a short period of time because the issues connected to drugs in society continue to evolve. The paper offers the example that when the war on drugs initially began, the concern for HIV/AIDS was not widespread or considered a consequence of drug use by the general public. Yet, as HIV/AIDS continued to impact people throughout the nation the issue of intravenous drug use became more significant to the American population.

Tags:drug, policy, health

Abstract
This paper examines the ethical issues and consequences of the increase of drug use among athletes. From Olympians to baseball home-run hitters, the paper looks at who is using -- and why. The author also discusses testing and fines (or other punishment from governing bodies). The paper concludes with a discussion about the ramification of drug use in professional and high level amateur sports, and its influence on society, particularly on impressionable youth athletes.

From the Paper
"Athletes have always been contemptuous of sport's attempts to regulate drug use, but they tended to keep their mouths shut. Most resented the upper hand that testing gave management, but they were too afraid of being caught, punished, and embarrassed to speak up unless they were squeaky clean, retired or busted. The line between what is effective and legal and what is effective and illegal is diminishing. It is not clear anymore because the people who are making these illegal and controversial substances are getting good and they are finding ways to dim the line. By all accounts, athletes and coaches are becoming much more aggressive and skillful in using drugs ranging from sodium bicarbonate, which keeps muscles from tiring, to patches soaked with synthetic testosterone to build muscles. Having to resort to such extreme measures to win represents the egocentric nature commonly found in athletes today."

Tags:steroids, testing, Olympics, baseball, homeruns, sports, WNBA, baseball

Abstract
This paper discusses the reason that youth turn toward drug use, citing peer pressure or family problems. The paper also looks at the different types of drugs that teens are commonly abusing. As a remedy to this problem, the writer offers what he considers the best solution for getting help for teens suspected of abusing drugs. The writer explains that the adolescent years are what he considers to be the most important years of one's life.

From the Paper
"These are the times where we are more likely to act on impulse, at times with little or no regard of the consequences for our actions. Most people will admit that they have fallen to peer pressure at least once if not more in there life time. How is it that the youth of today are falling victim of peer pressure to use drugs? This question being simple in form however is very complex. We are in time of youthful rebellion, which can be traced back to the 1960s where teens who were anti Vietnam War were part of a culture which theme was (Henry W, Karen H 2003) "tune in, turn on and drop out" often through marijuana and LSD. (Henry W, Karen H 2003) "By the 1970s 40 percent of teens ages 16-18 had tried marijuana." There was a turnaround in the 1980s for the better with the (Henry W, Karen H 2003) "just say no to drugs" campaign however; in 2000 the numbers began to soar. (Henry W, Karen H 2003) "20 percent of youth in the 8th grade had tried marijuana and 49 percent in the 12th had admitted to trying marijuana." Even with all of the educational programs that are available to our youth of today it's not enough. Sometimes we as adults forget what is was like to be a teen and fall victim to peer pressure as I stated earlier theses are the years that are most important in ones life, that is because this is the point where teens are going to explore to find themselves so to speak therefore, leaving them very vulnerable to fall to the pressure of one peers."

Tags:delinquency, drug, justice, juvenile, teens

Abstract
This paper is a proposal for a community based prevention program to combat the use of drugs amongst high school athletes in Boise High School, Idaho. The author includes risk factors of teenagers who might be susceptible to drug use and explains how family and community support can help deter drug use. The paper maps out and explains the program proposal, the target group and how the program is to be administered. The author also includes an estimation of costs.

Outline:
Risks
Protective Factors
Strategy
Institute of Medicine
Best Practice Program
Estimated Cost

From the Paper
"Risk factors include: a difficult home life, where there is for example constant discord between parents, or between the parents and children; parents and family members who use drugs; friends who use drugs; and the availability of drugs. Other risk factors could include individual emotional problems such as depression and a feeling of unworthiness, as well as less than average school performance. These factors are mitigated by perceived talents in sports, and hence the drive to perform better. This drive further strengthens the propensity towards using drugs."

Tags:teenagers, peer pressure, steroids athletes

Abstract
This paper discusses the problem of drug use in the United States among teenagers and examines various facets of prevention programs, particularly peer prevention programs. The paper also discusses the most effective preventative strategy, looks at the role the family plays in the problem and cites statistics concerning teenage drug abuse.

From the Paper
"This paper addresses the problem of drug use among teenagers and examines the various facets of drug prevention and intervention programs. First the paper outlines the problem of drug use among teenagers. Then the paper discusses the two types of prevention programs. Next, the paper discusses various elements of peer prevention programs. Finally, the paper discusses which drug prevention strategy is most effective."

Tags:teenage drug use, peer programs, D.A.R.E, drug prevention programs, social environemental theory

Abstract
A methodological discussion of how drug use in Louisiana State Prisons might be investigated if the Louisiana Department of Corrections were to undertake research about drug use in their prison system.

From the Paper
"This paper presents an essay which includes a methodological discussion of how drug use in Louisiana State Prisons might be investigated if a researcher were asked by the Louisiana Department of Corrections to undertake research about drug use in their prison system. The emphasis in terms of research methodology is placed on sampling procedures. So that the nature of both the drug use problem in prisons and the methodological sampling procedures that would be needed for data collection in ..."

Tags:drug, use, in, prisons

Abstract
This paper uses Internet sources to discuss the Differential Association Theory. The paper explains that it is a sociological term that helps explain the increased phenomenon of drug use in the United States.

From the Paper
"The Differential Association Theory is a sociological term that helps explain the increased phenomenon of drug use in the United States. The Differential Association theory was developed my Edmund Southerland, in hopes to "discriminate at the individual level between those who become lawbreakers and those who do not, whatever their race, class, or ethnic background ([1]www.d.umn.edu 2006)." Through his studies, Southerland..."

Tags:drug, use, sociology