This community sample was part of a larger three-year longitudinal study investigating behavior problems and substance use initiation. The study utilized a random-digit-dial (RDD) sample of telephone numbers from ASDE Survey Sampler, Inc., that was generated specifically for Erie County, New York. RDDs provide a representative sample from a specific area because both listed and unlisted telephone numbers are included. Erie County is especially well-suited for this type of sampling because it has an extremely high rate of households with telephones (98.5%), which is not the case for all areas in the United States. Calls were made by trained telephone recruiters utilizing scripts that explained the study (longitudinal research on the behavioral development of children), what was needed for participation (an 11 or 12 year-old son or daughter and a parent interview), and the level of compensation for participation ($75 for each assessment lasting approximately two to three hours). Multiple telephone contacts (including scripted messages for telephone answering machines) were made to each number, and letters describing the study were sent to addresses (when available) of households that hung up
