The study found that efficacious programs can play a major role in reducing the predominant health and social problems related to alcohol abuse. Results of this study showed no differences in alcohol use between participants and nonparticipants in sports activities. These results were inconsistent with some studies that found substantially less alcohol use among youth who participated in organized sports. However, significant differences were observed regarding alcohol use between participants and non-participants in clubs and organizations; only club participation consistently appeared to be protective. With respect to binge drinking, male athletes reported increased levels compared to non-athletes, which was consistent with other studies. The study was primarily comprised of 1,690 White males in a southern State enrolled in grades 10 through 12 in 4 public school systems. Data were collected utilizing the Adolescent Health Survey. Since alcohol misuse and abuse contribute to 70 percent of all deaths among young adults each year, there is a need to understand factors that may influence adolescents’ decisions to engage in or adopt risky behaviors and to assess differences in these influencing factors. Future studies are needed that are nationally representative and address ethnic and cultural differences in alcohol consumption behaviors and intentions to abuse alcohol. Since some research has indicated that female alcohol abusers display gender-specific problems, studies that address male and female differences were suggested. The types of activities that should be applied to designing effective multi-dimensional drug abuse prevention interventions should also be explored. Tables, references