Violent confrontations up among teenage girls.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

In the past year, 26.7% of adolescent girls participated in a serious fight at school or work, a group-against-group physical altercation, or an attack on others with the intent to inflict serious harm, reports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C.

"The findings are alarming," emphasizes SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "We need to do a better job reaching girls at risk and teaching them how to resolve problems without resorting to violence."

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Other key findings include:

* The prevalence of these violent acts decreases as annual family income increases.

* Adolescent females who taken part...