History Of Marijuana Use Research Articles

Phencyclidine Induced Oculogyric Crisis Responding Well to Conventional Treatment.

Background. Oculogyric crisis is a form of acute dystonic reaction characterized by involuntary upward deviation of eye ball. Its causes are broad with antipsychotics and antiemetics as the most common causes. Case Presentation. A 25-year-old man with the past medical history of marijuana use presented to ED with involuntary upward deviation of eye 1 day after using phencyclidine (PCP) for the first time. He did not have any other symptoms and was hemodynamically stable. All laboratory investigations were normal except urine drug screen which was positive for PCP. Patient was treated with IV diphenhydramine which improved his symptoms. Conclusion. Illicit drug abuse is a growing problem in our society with increasingly more patients presenting to ED with its complications. The differential diagnosis of acute dystonic reactions should be extended to include illicit drugs as the potential cause of reversible acute dystonias especially in high risk patients.

Befriending Risky Peers: Factors Driving Adolescents' Selection of Friends with Similar Marijuana Use.

Adolescents often befriend peers who are similar to themselves on a range of demographic, behavioral, and social characteristics, including substance use. Similarities in lifetime history of marijuana use have even been found to predict adolescent friendships, and we examine whether this finding is explained by youth's selection of friends who are similar on a range of more proximate, observable characteristics that are risk factors for marijuana use. Using two waves of individual and social network data from two high schools that participated in Add Health (N = 1,612; 52.7% male), we apply longitudinal models for social networks to test whether or not several observable risky attributes (psychological, behavioral, and social) predict adolescent friendship choices, and if these preferences explain friend's similarities on lifetime marijuana use. Findings show that similarities on several risk factors predict friendship choices, however controlling for this, the preference to befriend peers with a similar history of marijuana use largely persists. The results highlight the range of social selection processes that lead to similarities in marijuana use among friends and larger peer groups, and that also give rise to friendship groups whose members share similar risk factors for substance use. Friends with high "collective risk" are likely to be important targets for preventing the onset and social diffusion of substance use in adolescents.

Δ9-THC exposure attenuates aversive effects and reveals appetitive effects of K2/‘Spice’ constituent JWH-018 in mice

The emergence of high-efficacy synthetic cannabinoids as drugs of abuse in readily available K2/'Spice' smoking blends has exposed users to much more potent and effective substances than the phytocannabinoids present in cannabis. Increasing reports of adverse reactions, including dependence and withdrawal, are appearing in the clinical literature. Here we investigated whether the effects of one such synthetic cannabinoid, 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018), would be altered by a prior history of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) exposure, in assays of conditioned taste aversion and conditioned place preference. In the conditioned taste aversion procedure, JWH-018 induced marked and persistent aversive effects in mice with no previous cannabinoid history, but the magnitude and duration of these aversive effects were significantly blunted in mice previously treated with an ascending dose regimen of Δ9-THC. Similarly, in the conditioned place preference procedure, JWH-018 induced dose-dependent aversive effects in mice with no previous drug history, but mice exposed to Δ9-THC before place conditioning showed reduced aversions at a high JWH-018 dose and apparent rewarding effects at a low dose of JWH-018. These findings suggest that a history of Δ9-THC exposure 'protects' against aversive effects and 'unmasks' appetitive effects of the high-efficacy synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 in mice. This pattern of results implies that cannabinoid-naive individuals administering K2/'Spice' products for the first-time may be at an increased risk for adverse reactions, whereas those with a history of marijuana use may be particularly sensitive to the reinforcing effects of high-efficacy cannabinoids present in these commercial smoking blends.

Stress mediates the relationship between sexual orientation and behavioral risk disparities.

BackgroundGrowing evidence documents elevated behavioral risk among sexual-minorities, including gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals; however, tests of biological or psychological indicators of stress as explanations for these disparities have not been conducted.MethodsData were from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and included 9662 participants; 9254 heterosexuals, 153 gays/lesbians and 255 bisexuals. Associations between sexual orientation and tobacco, alcohol, substance, and marijuana use, and body mass index, were tested using the chi-square test. Stress, operationalized as depressive symptoms and elevated C-reactive protein, was tested as mediating the association between sexual orientation and behavioral health risks. Multiple logistic regression was used to test for mediation effects, and the Sobel test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the meditating effect.ResultsGays/lesbians and bisexuals were more likely to report current smoking (p < .001), a lifetime history of substance use (p < .001), a lifetime history of marijuana use (p < .001), and a lifetime period of risky drinking (p = .0061). The largest disparities were observed among bisexuals. Depressive symptoms partially mediated the association between sexual orientation and current smoking (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.59, 2.63), lifetime history of substance use (aOR 3.30 95% CI 2.20, 4.96), and lifetime history of marijuana use (aOR 2.90, 95% CI 2.02, 4.16), among bisexuals only. C-reactive protein did not mediate the sexual orientation/behavior relationship.ConclusionHigher prevalence of current smoking and lifetime history of substance use was observed among sexual minorities compared to heterosexuals. Among bisexuals, depressive symptoms accounted for only 0.9-3% of the reduction in the association between sexual orientation and marijuana use and tobacco use, respectively. More comprehensive assessments of stress are needed to inform explanations of the disparities in behavioral risk observed among sexual minorities.

The Concrete Jungle: City Stress and Substance Abuse among Young Adult African American Men

Substance use is prevalent among African American men living in urban communities. The impact of substance use on the social, psychological, and physical health of African American men has important public health implications for families, communities, and society. Given the adverse consequences of alcohol and drug abuse within communities of color, this study evaluated the relationship between city stress, alcohol consumption, and drug use among African American men. Eighty heterosexual, African American men, 18 to 29years old, completed psychosocial risk assessments that assessed substance use and city stress. Multiple logistic regression analyses, controlling for age, indicated that participants reporting high levels of urban stress, relative to low levels of urban stress, were more likely to report a history of marijuana use (AOR = 5.19, p = .05), history of ecstasy and/or GHB use (AOR = 3.34, p = .04), having family/friends expressing strong concerns about their illicit drug use (AOR = 4.06, p = .02), and being unable to remember what happened the night before due to drinking (AOR = 4.98, p = .01). African American men living within the confines of a stressful urban environment are at increased risk for exposure to and utilization of illicit substances. Culturally competent public health interventions for substance use/abuse should address psychological factors, such as stress and neighborhood violence.

Conditioned taste aversion elicited by synthetic cannabinoid JWH‐018 in mice is attenuated by pretreatment with phytocannabinoid Δ9‐THC

Aminoalkylindole cannabinioids have recently emerged as drugs of abuse in the US and worldwide. Perhaps the most common such compound present in commercial K2/Spice blends is JWH‐018. The effects of these smoking blends are often more intense than those of marijuana, likely because the aminoalkylindoles have higher affinity for and efficacy at CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Indeed, adverse reactions including agitation, paranoia, tachycardia, seizure, and even death have been reported following exposure to K2 products containing JWH‐018. To model the aversive effects of JWH‐018, we used a conditioned taste aversion procedure in mice. Briefly, mice were trained to emit an operant response (nose‐poke) reinforced with evaporated milk under a fixed‐ratio 5 (FR5) schedule. When responding became regular and reliable, the evaporated milk was replaced with a strawberry‐flavored milk solution; immediately after this session, mice were injected with 3 mg/kg JWH‐018. At least three evaporated milk recovery sessions occurred between strawberry‐flavored milk exposures. Separate groups of animals were treated with the phytocannabinoid Δ9‐THC prior to the first strawberry‐flavored milk exposure. In mice lacking a Δ9‐THC history, JWH‐018 elicited a robust and persistent taste aversion to the strawberry‐flavored milk which was apparent after a single pairing. Interestingly, mice pretreated with Δ9‐THC developed a less intense and shorter‐lived taste aversion following exposure to JWH‐018. These studies suggest that JWH‐018 has pronounced aversive effects, and that these effects may be more prominent in users who have no previous history of marijuana use. This work was supported by US PHS Grant RR020146, and by National Center for Research Resources grant 1UL1RR029884.

Association of secondhand smoke exposure with nicotine dependence among Black smokers

Introduction Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is influenced by norms and regulations, socioeconomic status and immediate personal interactions. SHS exposure may occur in various settings, including the living space, workplace, and other social environments. This study examines the association between exposure to SHS and nicotine dependence among current smokers. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 246 Black (60% male and 40% female) current smokers age 40 and older, from Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C, responded to an interviewer-administered questionnaire. We examined nicotine dependence using clinical guidelines based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision (2000). We performed multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between SHS and nicotine dependence. Results SHS exposure in the current home environment and exposure in settings outside the home, as well as difficulty to quit smoking and heaviness of smoking, were associated with nicotine dependence. After adjustment for age, gender, education, income, employment status, current alcohol consumption, history of marijuana use, and number of cigarettes smoked per day; exposure to SHS at home only, and in both current home environment and other settings, continued to be associated with clinically-defined nicotine dependence (OR = 2.25; 95% CI 1.05, 4.86 vs. OR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.03, 5.18), respectively. Discussion These findings highlight the relative importance of examining SHS exposure in personal (residential and automobile) and public (workplace and outdoor) settings by current smokers. Promotion of smoke-free environments may reduce the prevalence of nicotine dependence among current smokers.

Spectrum of gastric emptying patterns in adult patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) in adults is a disorder characterized by recurrent and stereotypic episodes of severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain separated by symptom-free intervals. Both rapid and delayed gastric emptying (GE) have been observed but the reports involved small numbers of CVS patients. We performed a retrospective study of 92 adult patients who met Rome Ш diagnostic criteria for CVS between 2003 and 2009 at the Kansas University Medical Center. Gastric emptying was measured by a standardized scintigraphic method involving a low fat (2%) isotope labeled egg white meal of 250 Kcal, with anterior and posterior gastric imaging in the standing position obtained at 0, 1, 2, 4 h after meal ingestion. Rapid GE was defined as <50% isotope retention at 1st h and/or <30% at 2nd h and delayed GE as >10% at 4 h. Ninety two patients were analyzed: 47 males and 45 females mean of age 37 ± 12 years (range: 20-68 years). There were 27 patients with a personal history of migraine headache, 30 with history of marijuana use, 12 had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 10 had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as an accompanying diagnosis. Fifty four patients (59%) met criteria for rapid GE, 25 (27%) had normal GE and 13 (14%) had slow GE. Eighty percent of patients with co-existing IBS symptoms were identified as rapid. The subset with delayed emptying was often associated with narcotics use, DM and marijuana use (P < 0.05). (i) In adult CVS patients, GE is generally either rapid or normal. (ii) Cyclic vomiting syndrome is an important new etiology to explain the finding of rapid GE on a radionuclide test. (iii) The small subset of CVS patients (14%) whose GE was slow were explained by the role of narcotics and/or marijuana.

The Significance of Marijuana Use Among Alcohol-using Adolescent Emergency Department Patients

The objective was to determine if adolescents presenting to a pediatric emergency department (PED) for an alcohol-related event requiring medical care differ in terms of substance use, behavioral and mental health problems, peer relationships, and parental monitoring based on their history of marijuana use. This was a cross-sectional comparison of adolescents 13-17 years old, with evidence of recent alcohol use, presenting to a PED with a self-reported history of marijuana use. Assessment tools included the Adolescent Drinking Inventory, Adolescent Drinking Questionnaire, Young Adult Drinking and Driving Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Behavioral Assessment System for Children, and Peer Substance Use and Tolerance of Substance Use Scale. Compared to adolescents using alcohol only (AO), adolescents who use alcohol and marijuana (A+M) have higher rates of smoking (F = 23.62) and binge drinking (F = 11.56), consume more drinks per sitting (F = 9.03), have more externalizing behavior problems (F = 12.53), and report both greater peer tolerance of substance use (F = 12.99) and lower parental monitoring (F = 7.12). Adolescents who use A+M report greater substance use and more risk factors for substance abuse than AO-using adolescents. Screening for a history of marijuana use may be important when treating adolescents presenting with an alcohol-related event. A+M co-use may identify a high-risk population, which may have important implications for ED clinicians in the care of these patients, providing parental guidance, and planning follow-up care.

Factores asociados al abuso y la dependencia de sustancias en adolescentes colombianos, con base en los resultados del WMH-CIDI

IntroductionGiven the magnitude of mental health problem and the recommendations of national and international institutions, it was proposed to generate knowledge about risk and protective factors for the targeting of evidence-based practice, programs for the promotion and prevention substance use disorders in adolescents. MethodAs part of the WHO-WMH studied a probabilistic sample of 1,576 Colombian adolescents from 13 to 17 years old, CIDI instrument was applied for the diagnosis of substance abuse disorder, estimated the association with etiologic factors by bivariate analysis and application of logistic regression model using the method Step Wise. ResultsIn calculating the OR adjusted with 95% confidence, the risk factors most strongly associated with substance use disorders were: a history of marijuana use, parental history of mental illness, neglect in addressing the needs of food and health and abuse among parents, the cigarette and alcohol consumption and presence of stressful life events. They behaved as protective factors: Good communication with parents, spirituality, family cohesion and the strict application of the rules. ConclusionThese results suggest that prevention programs should pay special attention to population groups that present the risk and protective factors for drug use found in this study.

White matter integrity in adolescents with histories of marijuana use and binge drinking

Structural brain abnormalities have been observed in adolescents with alcohol use disorders but less is known about neuropathological brain characteristics of teens with sub-diagnostic binge drinking or the common pattern of binge drinking combined with marijuana use. The goal of this study was to examine white matter integrity in adolescents with histories of binge drinking and marijuana use. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was conducted with 42 adolescents (ages 16–19) classified as controls, binge drinkers, or binge drinkers who are also heavy marijuana users. Tract based spatial analysis identified shared fiber structure across individuals and facilitated voxelwise comparisons of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) between groups. Significant between group differences were found in FA in eight white matter regions (ps ≤ .016) between the binge drink-only group and controls, including superior corona radiata, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Interestingly, in 4 of these same regions, binge drinkers who are also heavy marijuana users had higher FA than binge drinkers who did not use marijuana ( ps < .05). MD did not differ between groups. Findings are largely consistent with research suggesting less neuropathology in adolescents without histories of substance use. However, binge drinkers who also use marijuana did not show as consistent a divergence from non-users as did the binge drink-only group. Detection of white matter alterations may have implications in identifying early cognitive dysfunction in substance using adolescents.

Substance abuse, treatment needs and access among female sex workers and non-sex workers in Pretoria, South Africa

BackgroundThis study examined cross-sectional data collected from substance-using female sex workers (FSW) and non-sex workers (non-SW) in Pretoria, South Africa, who entered a randomized controlled trial.MethodsWomen who reported alcohol use and recently engaging in sex work or unprotected sex were recruited for a randomized study. The study sample (N = 506) comprised 335 FSW and 171 female non-SW from Pretoria and surrounding areas. Self-reported data about alcohol and other drug use as well as treatment needs and access were collected from participants before they entered a brief intervention.ResultsAs compared with female non-SW, FSW were found to have a greater likelihood of having a past year diagnosis of alcohol or other drug abuse or dependence, having a family member with a history of alcohol or other drug abuse, having been physically abused, having used alcohol before age 18, and having a history of marijuana use. In addition, the FSW were more likely to perceive that they had alcohol or other drug problems, and that they had a need for treatment and a desire to go for treatment. Less than 20% of participants in either group had any awareness of alcohol and drug treatment programs, with only 3% of the FSW and 2% of the non-SW reporting that they tried but were unable to enter treatment in the past year.ConclusionFSW need and want substance abuse treatment services but they often have difficulty accessing services. The study findings suggest that barriers within the South African treatment system need to be addressed to facilitate access for substance-using FSW. Ongoing research is needed to inform policy change that fosters widespread educational efforts and sustainable, accessible, woman-sensitive services to ultimately break the cycle for current and future generations of at-risk South African women.

Do adolescent ecstasy users have different attitudes towards drugs when compared to marijuana users?

Background Perceived risk and attitudes about the consequences of drug use, perceptions of others expectations and self-efficacy influence the intent to try drugs and continue drug use once use has started. We examine associations between adolescents’ attitudes and beliefs towards ecstasy use; because most ecstasy users have a history of marijuana use, we estimate the association for three groups of adolescents: non-marijuana/ecstasy users, marijuana users (used marijuana at least once but never used ecstasy) and ecstasy users (used ecstasy at least once). Methods Data from 5049 adolescents aged 12–18 years old who had complete weighted data information in Round 2 of the Restricted Use Files (RUF) of the National Survey of Parents and Youth (NSPY). Data were analyzed using jackknife weighted multinomial logistic regression models. Results Adolescent marijuana and ecstasy users were more likely to approve of marijuana and ecstasy use as compared to non-drug using youth. Adolescent marijuana and ecstasy users were more likely to have close friends who approved of ecstasy as compared to non-drug using youth. The magnitudes of these two associations were stronger for ecstasy use than for marijuana use in the final adjusted model. Our final adjusted model shows that approval of marijuana and ecstasy use was more strongly associated with marijuana and ecstasy use in adolescence than perceived risk in using both drugs. Conclusion Information about the risks and consequences of ecstasy use need to be presented to adolescents in order to attempt to reduce adolescents’ approval of ecstasy use as well as ecstasy experimentation.

Age-Based Correlates of Substance Misuse Among Convicted Felons in Georgia

Objective: This study sought to identify variables that independently correlate with age and substance use among a sample of 187 convicted felons in Georgia. Results: Results of regression analysis indicated that younger inmates were 2 times more likely than older inmates to report the occurrence of alcohol use (RR 2.07; 95% CI. 37, 11.6) and three times more likely than older inmates to report some history of marijuana use (RR 3.07; 95% CI 1.52, 6.11). In addition, younger inmates were half as likely or less to report using sedatives (RR. 53, 95% CI. 22, 1.29), tranquilizers (RR. 49, 95% CI. 22, 1.29), crack or cocaine (RR. 33, 95% CI. 18,. 62), heroin (RR. 48, 95% CI. 16, 1.25), and to having ever received treatment for a drug problem (RR. 46, 95% CI. 23,. 90). Conclusion: In conclusion, age-based factors correlate with participant's history of substance use. Ascertainment of these variables among inmate populations has the potential to improve treatment decisions both during and after incarceration.

Marijuana use and risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Previous laboratory investigations, case reports, and a hospital-based case-control study have suggested that marijuana use may be a risk factor for squamous cell head and neck cancer. We conducted a population-based case-control study to determine whether marijuana use is associated with the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Case subjects (n = 407) were 18-65-year-old residents of three counties in western Washington State who were newly diagnosed with OSCC from 1985 through 1995. Control subjects (n = 615), who were similar to the cases with respect to age and sex, were selected from the general population using random-digit telephone dialing. Lifetime histories of marijuana use and exposure to known OSCC risk factors were ascertained using a structured questionnaire. Information on genetic polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase enzymes was obtained from assays on participant DNA. Odds ratios for associations with features of marijuana use were adjusted for sex, education, birth year, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. A similar proportion of case subjects (25.6%) and control subjects (24.4%) reported ever use of marijuana (adjusted odds ratio, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.3). There were no trends in risk observed with increasing duration or average frequency of use or time since first or last use. No subgroup defined by known or suspected OSCC risk factors (age, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetic polymorphisms) showed an increased risk. Marijuana use was not associated with OSCC risk in this large, population-based study.

History of marijuana use and tobacco smoking topography in tobacco-dependent adolescents

Adolescent tobacco smokers have higher rates of marijuana (MJ) use than nonsmokers. Because MJ smoking typically involves deeper inhalation and longer breathholding than tobacco smoking, we hypothesized greater puff volume, longer puff duration and puff interval, and higher puff velocity during tobacco smoking among (1) MJ-using teens; (2) teens whose onset of MJ smoking occurred before tobacco (MBT). One hundred and three tobacco-dependent adolescents presented for smoking cessation treatment (66.0% female, 71.0% European American, mean age 15.3±1.25 years) smoked one cigarette of their own brand in the laboratory prior to study entry. Topography and associated physiological measures among current recreational (<5 days in a 14-day period) MJ users ( n=25), current heavy (≥5 days in a 14-day period) MJ users ( n=22) and current non-MJ-smoking teens ( n=56) were compared. There were no differences in tobacco smoking topography or physiological measures by recent MJ-smoking history or by order of substance initiation. Significantly more African American than European American adolescent smokers reported MJ use before tobacco. Our findings in adolescent smokers are consistent with results from adult studies in which history of MJ smoking was not associated with changes in tobacco smoking topography.

Drug testing, drug treatment, and marijuana use: a fairness perspective.

The authors conducted a random statewide telephone survey of 1,484 individuals to study the relationship between marijuana use (in terms of participants' history of marijuana use) and reactions to drug testing and to study 2 hypothetical drug-treatment policies. Job safety sensitivity was related to perceived fairness of drug testing for the participant's job, and more recent marijuana use was associated with more negative reactions. Safety sensitivity was related to perceived fairness of drug treatment. Organizations with voluntary treatment were more attractive than ones with monitored treatment. Marijuana use interacted with drug treatment policy type in predicting reactions to drug treatment. Results suggest that organizations should consider job and employee characteristics when developing a drug treatment policy.

Into the world of illegal drug use: exposure opportunity and other mechanisms linking the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine.

Drawing upon an "exposure opportunity" concept described by Wade Hampton Frost, the authors studied two mechanisms to help account for prior observations about the "stepping-stone" or "gateway" sequences that link the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine. Data were obtained from four nationally representative and independent cross-sectional samples of US household residents (n = 44,624 persons aged 12-25 years). Data were gathered using standardized self-report methods and were analyzed via survival methods. Results indicated that users of tobacco and alcohol were more likely than nonusers to have an opportunity to try marijuana and were more likely to actually use marijuana once a marijuana opportunity had occurred. Opportunity to use cocaine was associated with prior marijuana smoking. Among young people with a cocaine opportunity, those who had used marijuana were more likely to use cocaine than were those with no history of marijuana use. The observed associations did not seem to arise solely as a result of young drug users' seeking out opportunities to use drugs. Applying Frost's epidemiologic concept of exposure opportunity, the authors offer new epidemiologic evidence on the sequences that link earlier use of alcohol and tobacco to later illegal drug involvement.

Neuropeptide Y Y1 and Y2 Receptor mRNA Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of Psychiatric Subjects: Relationship of Y2 Subtype to Suicidal Behavior

It has been hypothesized that the neuropeptide Y (NPY) system is involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorder. In this study, Y1 and Y2 receptor mRNA expression levels were analyzed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of subjects affected with major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia and compared to normal controls. No significant alterations in Y1 or Y2 mRNA expression levels were observed between the groups. However, the Y2 mRNA expression was elevated in layer IV in subjects with suicide as a cause of death. For the Y1 mRNA expression, there was a negative correlation with increasing subject age in the prefrontal cortex. Analysis of covariance revealed a significant elevation of the Y1 mRNA expression levels in individuals with a current history of marijuana use but no other drug. In summary, the current results suggest distinct alterations of the prefrontal Y1 and Y2 neuronal populations in aging and suicide.

Parental monitoring: association with adolescents' risk behaviors.

Contemporary threats to adolescents' health are primarily the consequence of risk behaviors and their related adverse outcomes. Identifying factors associated with adolescents' risk behaviors is critical for developing effective prevention strategies. A number of risk factors have been identified, including familial environment; however, few studies have examined the impact of parental monitoring. To examine the influence of less perceived parental monitoring on a spectrum of adolescent health-compromising behaviors and outcomes. Design. Survey. A family medicine clinic. Participants. To assess eligibility, recruiters screened a sample of 1130 teens residing in low-income neighborhoods. Adolescents were eligible if they were black females, between the ages of 14 and 18 years, sexually active in the previous 6 months, and provided written informed consent. Most teens (n = 609) were eligible, with 522 (85.7%) agreeing to participate. Variables in 6 domains were assessed, including: sexually transmitted diseases, sexual behaviors, marijuana use, alcohol use, antisocial behavior, and violence. In logistic regression analyses, controlling for observed covariates, adolescents perceiving less parental monitoring were more likely to test positive for a sexually transmitted disease (odds ratio [OR]: 1.7), report not using a condom at last sexual intercourse (OR: 1.7), have multiple sexual partners in the past 6 months (OR: 2.0), have risky sex partners (OR: 1.5), have a new sex partner in the past 30 days (OR: 3.0), and not use any contraception during the last sexual intercourse episode (OR: 1.9). Furthermore, adolescents perceiving less parental monitoring were more likely to have a history of marijuana use and use marijuana more often in the past 30 days (OR: 2.3 and OR: 2.5, respectively); a history of alcohol use and greater alcohol consumption in the past 30 days (OR: 1.4 and OR: 1.9, respectively); have a history of arrest (OR: 2.1); and there was a trend toward having engaged in fights in the past 6 months (OR: 1.4). The findings demonstrate a consistent pattern of health risk behaviors and adverse biological outcomes associated with less perceived parental monitoring. Additional research needs to focus on developing theoretical models that help explain the influence of familial environment on adolescent health and develop and evaluate interventions to promote the health of adolescents.