Adolescents are at great risk for infectious diseases including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Though the CDC reports that overall AIDS incidence is on the decline, there has been no comparable decline in the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases among young people aged 13-19, and young people of color are particularly at risk. Compared to the general adolescent population, adolescents involved with the criminal justice system are at higher risk for unintended pregnancy and infections. Alcohol use is commonly cited as a reason for risky behavior among high-risk adolescents such as those involved in the criminal justice system (e.g., Morris et al., 1998) and recent data from our research suggests that it is heavy alcohol use that is most strongly related to risky behavior (Bryan, Rocheleau, & Robbins, 2002a). The goal of this research is to design, implement, and test a successful HIV/Alcohol risk reduction intervention that is theory-based, empirically targeted to adolescents, and articulated to a criminal justice setting. The study compares a risk reduction intervention that incorporates an alcohol risk reduction component to a standard risk reduction intervention and a no treatment control condition. We hope to show that: 1) A combined risk reduction intervention will result in larger decreases in risky behavior, 2) The intervention will exert effects through reductions in alcohol use and changes in other mediators derived from a theoretically-based model of intentions and behaviors, and 3) A risk reduction intervention including an alcohol component will be especially effective for those adolescents with higher levels of existing alcohol problems. Finally, if the hypotheses are supported, the long-term objective will be to disseminate the intervention curricula and materials for use in adolescent detention facilities throughout the state.
