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Written for school administrators who are considering a drug testing program or updating an existing program for their schools. Offers guidance and gives the latest information, covering the benefits and risks of school drug testing, the kinds of tests, how to handle positive results and how to address parental concerns

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) was formed in September, 1973 from a Division of the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), from the three-decade old Addiction Research Center (ARC) in Lexington Kentucky, and from the two year old Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention (SAODAP), the original White House drug office. The legislation authorizing NIDA was passed by both Houses of Congress and signed by the president with bipartisan unanimity in response to the drug abuse epidemic, which had begun in the late 1960s. NIDA was the embodiment of the new Federal drug abuse strategy that, for the first time, balanced the traditional focus on law enforcement (supply reduction) with a new focus on treatment, prevention, and research (what became known as demand reduction). The current article offers a review of the early history of NIDA and its implications for future research.

Arguments for random drug testing of employees, particularly those under age 40, are discussed citing the costs of drug abuse, eg, increased accident rates, absenteeism, medical & workmen's compensation claims, & less productivity. The alcohol model of drug abuse is inadequate for cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine, & other illegal drug abuse. Problems of detecting such abuse using only neurobehavioral tests are: (1) little documentation correlating drug use with specific impairments; (2) lack of established neurophysiological baselines; (3) occurrence of false positives; (4) focus on general intoxication rather than subtle effects; & (5) need for drug test to confirm diagnosis. The problems of implementing for-cause are also presented: lack of objective criteria; reluctance of supervisors to test workers; & lack of deterrent value. Random drug testing is discussed as being fair & impartial & solving the problems occurring with other testing procedures. 2 Photographs. D. Generoli

Drug abuse hit the national headlines during the last half of the 1960s. By 1971 it had become "public enemy number one" and an all-out war was declared. Although there were a few notable successes—including one temporary triumph which was prematurely labeled a victory in 1973—by 1977 it had become clear that this war, like the War in Vietnam and the War Against Poverty, was not to be won. A new objective, more in keeping with the skepticism of the 1970s, was indeed needed. Drug abuse prevention was not like waging a war; it was like weeding a graden. The question remained, "What crop was to be harvested in the 1980s?"

"This second edition of It Takes a Family helps families and friends step beyond initial intervention and reinvent their relationships as part of a family recovery team to help their loved one avoid relapse and support sobriety. Through a Structured Family Recovery model, with strategies and exercises designed to create transparency and accountability, family members learn about and address the challenges of enabling, denial, and pain while developing their communication skills and enjoying healthier, happier relationships. With detailed instructions for weekly family meetings-including opening and closing statements, thoughtful discussion topics, suggested readings, and specific assignments-It Takes a Family offers much-needed support to family members and their addicted loved ones as they work together to create and sustain lifelong recovery"--

Einführung -- Ein historischer Überblick -- Anmerkung -- Vokabular -- Die sozialen Probleme im Umgang mit Benzodiazepinen -- Übermäßiger Einsatz von Benzodiazepinen -- Zu geringer Einsatz von Benzodiazepinen -- Anmerkung -- Klinische Grundsätze und deren Umsetzung in der Praxis -- Checkliste zur Beurteilung -- Anmerkung -- Der Umgang mit den Behandlungsproblemen -- Schlußfolgerung -- Fallstudien -- Fallstudie 1 -- Fallstudie 2 -- Fallstudie 3 -- Fallstudie 4.

A major new proposal to refocus national efforts on heroin addicts in the criminal justice system, called Operation Tripwire, was announced on 1 October 1977. The proposal called for the universal testing of offenders in the criminal justice system for drugs, and the establishment of sustained drug-free status, confirmed by repeated drug testing, as a condition of release to the community. Despite its being grounded in a large body of solid research evidence and meeting vital social needs, Tripwire was never implemented. Today, with the introduction of the Drug Use Forecasting program, we have a more convincing indication of the enormous drug abuse problems in the criminal population. It may be time to dust off and update the original Tripwire idea. If that is to happen, it will require the convergence of many political, media, and fiscal forces, all based on research. The potential beneficiaries of such a development are many, but the odds against it remain long.

A reevaluation of Operation Tripwire -- a major new proposal to refocus national efforts on heroin addicts in the criminal justice system that was announced in 1977, but never implemented. The proposal called for the universal testing of offenders in the system for drugs, & the establishment of sustained drug-free status, confirmed by repeated drug testing, as a condition of community release. In light of current evidence on the enormous drug abuse problems in the criminal population, it may be time to dust off & update the original Tripwire idea. This will require the convergence of many political, media, & fiscal forces, all based on research. Though the potential beneficiaries of such a development are many, the odds against it remain long. Adapted from the source document.