This research examines how teenage drug and alcohol use responds to changes in the economy. In contrast to the recent literature confirming pro-cyclical alcohol use among adults, this research offers strong evidence that a weaker economy leads to greater teenage marijuana and hard-drug use and some evidence that a weaker economy also leads to higher teenage alcohol use. The findings are based on logistic models with state and year fixed effects, using teenagers from the NLSY-1997. The evidence also indicates that teenagers are more likely to sell drugs in weaker economies. This suggests one mechanism for counter-cyclical drug use - that access to illicit drugs is easier when the economy is weaker. These results also suggest that the strengthening economy in the 1990s mitigated what would otherwise have been much larger increases in teenage drug use.

Despite the conventional wisdom among players and fans of the existence of the "hot hand" in basketball, studies have found only no evidence or weak evidence for the hot hand in game situations, although stronger evidence in controlled settings. These studies have considered both free throws and field goals. Given the heterogeneous nature of field goals and several potential sources that could cause a positive or negative correlation between consecutive shots (such as having a weak defender), free throws may provide for a more controlled setting to test for the hot hand. Almost all studies have tested for the hot hand at the individual level in univariate frameworks, and as some have pointed out, the studies may not have had enough power to detect the hot hand. In this study, I use a sample based on every free throw attempted during the 2005-06 NBA season. I used a multivariate framework with individual player fixed effects. I find that hitting the first free throw is associated with a 2-to 3-percentage-points higher probability of hitting the second free throw. Furthermore, the infrequent foul-shooters have more streakiness in their shooting than frequent foul-shooters.

Objectives. Our objective was to analyze the association between deployment characteristics and diagnostic rates for major depression and substance use disorder among active duty personnel. Methods. Using active duty personnel serving between 2001 and 2006 (n = 678 382) and deployment information from the Contingent Tracking System, we identified individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders and major depression from TRICARE health records. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of deployment location and length on these diagnostic rates. Results. Increased odds of diagnosis with both conditions were associated with deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan compared with nondeployed personnel and with Army and Marine Corps personnel compared with Navy and Air Force personnel. Increases in the likelihood of either diagnosis with deployment length were only observed among Army personnel. Conclusions. There were increased substance use disorders and major depression across services associated with combat conditions. It would be important to assess whether the public health system has adequate resources to handle the increasing need of mental health services in this population.

After adjusting for differences in baseline risk factors of marijuana use and depression, past-year marijuana use does not significantly predict later development of depression. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for understanding possible causal effects of marijuana use on depression.

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