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LEADING PREVENTION RESEARCHERS TO RELEASE
NEW FINDINGS ON AT-RISK YOUTH INCLUDING TOBACCO USE, SUICIDE AND BULLYING

New studies compare U.S. statistics and practices to those of neighboring Canada; Researchers suggest U.S. could learn from some Canadian models

New studies on Canadian youth access to tobacco to be released

(Washington, D.C., May 19, 2004)—Leading researchers in prevention science will meet to release new research on curbing anti-social and destructive behaviors among adults and high-risk youth on May 26-28, 2004 at The Hilton Quebec in Quebec City, Canada. High-risk youth are defined as those who engage in a host of risky behaviors including substance abuse, unsafe sex and violence.

The 2004 annual meeting, “Crossing Borders: Linking Prevention Sciences, Policy and Practice,” of the Washington, D.C.-based Society for Prevention Research (SPR) (www.preventionresearch.org), will illustrate innovative approaches to preventing harmful behaviors, and for reducing the damage those behaviors inflict on individuals and communities.

The meeting will feature more than 350 research papers on major issues in prevention, such as:

Canadian Youth & Access to Tobacco: (www.preventionresearch.org/canadianyouthandtobacco.pdf)
Is Canada doing enough to limit youth access to tobacco?
What are some of Canada’s latest data on youth access to tobacco?

Youth & Suicide:(www.preventionresearch.org/youthandsuicide.pdf)
Are there gender differences for depression and suicide?
Which adolescents are in danger of committing suicide?

Bullying: (www.preventionresearch.org/bullying.pdf)
What can America learn from Canada’s groundswell of anti-bullying programs?
How early does bullying start; can it be prevented?

Other research highlights include: new studies in both Canada and the U.S. that examine how young children become aggressive adults (www.preventionresearch.org/aggressive.pdf) ; whether or not child-abusing fathers can become caring dads (www.preventionresearch.org/caringdads.pdf) ; and effective programs for working parents on how they can cope with the pressures of work, family and parenting (www.preventionresearch.org/workandparenting.pdf).

WHEN:	Pre-meeting interviews are currently being scheduled with SPR researchers by contacting Arlyn Riskind at 301-652-1558 or Prabhu Ponkshe at 703-615-2466 On-site interviews (May 26-28, 2004) with researchers can be scheduled by contacting Prabhu Ponkshe at 703-615-2466
WHERE:	The Hilton Quebec, 1100 Rene-Levesque Blvd., East, Quebec City, Canada

The Society for Prevention Research is an international organization focused on the advancement of science-based prevention programs and policies through empirical research. The membership of the organization includes scientists, practitioners, advocates, administrators and policymakers who are concerned with the prevention of social, physical and mental health problems and the promotion of health, safety and well being.