Technology Products for Substance Abuse Education.

An update of an earlier publication, "Software for Substance Abuse Education," this guide provides critical reviews of available technology products designed to instruct students, teachers, or parents about alcohol and other drugs. The products included are computer software, interactive videodiscs (level III), non-interactive videodiscs (level I), and telecourses delivered via satellite. Introductory materials describe the scope of the publication and identify four common problems with approaches used in many software programs: (1) the focus is on responsible use of alcohol rather than the fact that it is illegal and harmful for adolescents; (2) a mixed message is conveyed that students have a choice, rather than showing them the consequences of their decisions; (3) focus on empowering students to make informed decisions again implies that they have a choice; and (4) the tutorial approach tends to isolate high school students who are at-risk of using alcohol or other drugs rather than integrating them into a healthy peer group. Reviews are then presented for 29 educational software products, 2 interactive video products, and 17 videodisc products. Listings contain information on the producer, copyright date, price, length of product, hardware needed, appropriate grade levels, type of instruction, type of media, a description of the content, possible uses, and strengths and weaknesses. The titles of eight television courses offered by Satellite Telecommunications Education Programming (STEP) are also listed and a directory of the producers represented in this guide is given. A glossary is also provided. (ALF)