ABSTRACT
The 1990s have witnessed a growing awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol use and abuse on both those who consume alcohol and those affected by the actions of drinkers. As society's most socially sanctioned, most commonly accepted, and most abused legal drug (Blair, 1983; Denzin, 1987b), 60% to 70% of the general American population consume alcoholic beverages on a regular basis (Taylor & Chermak, 1993; U.S. Census Bureau, 1992). At least 10% of those who consume alcohol will develop alcohol dependency problems at some point in their drinking career (Denzin, 1987a; Johnson, 1980), and alcohol use and abuse is even more pervasive among younger populations. Studies reveal that in some groups of youths, 80% to 90% consume alcoholic beverages. Between 18% and 25% of these individuals can be classified as problem drinkers now (Berkowitz & Perkins, 1986; Hanson & Engs, 1992; Margolis, 1992; Quindlen, 1994; Seay & Beck, 1984; Seibold & Thomas, 1994; Thomas & Seibold, 1993a, 1993b, 1995a) and will experience alcohol-related problems as adults (Massey & Neidigh, 1990).
