An African-Centered Model of Prevention for African-American Youth at High Risk

145 Pages·2012·3.88 MB·English

DOCUMENT RESUME
UD 030 519
ED 385 629
Goddard, Lawford L., Ed.
AUTHOR
An African-Centered Model of Prevention for
TITLE
African-American Youth at High Risk.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
INSTITUTION
Administration (DHHS/PHS), Rockville, MD. Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention.
CASP-TR-6; DHHS-(SMA)93-2015
REPORT NO
PUB DATE
93
145p.; Product of a conference convened by staff of
NOTE
the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP) in
Washington, DC, to explore issues in substance abuse
prevention'in the African-American community.
Reports
General (020)
Collected Works
PUB TYPE
Evaluative /Feasibility (142)
MF01/PC06 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Alcohol Abuse; Biological Influences; Black
DESCRIPTORS
Community; *Black Youth; *Drug Abuse; Economic
Factors; Family Characteristics; *High Risk Students;
Models; Policy Formation; Political Influences;
*Prevention; Program Development; *Urban Youth
African Americans; *Afrocentrism
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
The chapters of this report provide a starting point
for the development of authentic prevention strategies for use in the
African-American community, specifically for high risk youth. It is
neither a "how to" manual nor a mandate for specific program details,
but it does highlight the key components of alcohol and other drug
abuse prevention. The following chapters are included:
(1)
"Background and Scope of the Alcohol and Other Drug Problem" (Lawford
L. Goddard); (2) "Familial Precursors to Drug Abuse" (Lawford L.
Goddard); (3) "Political and Economic Implications of Alcohol and
Other Drugs in the African-American Community" (Omowale
Amuleru-Marshall); (4) "Issues of Biological Vulnerability in AOD
Abuse for the African-American Community" (Patricia A. Newton);
(5)
"Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Literature, 1980-1989: Selected
(6) "The Complex Nature of
Abstracts" (Lawford L. Goddard);
Prevention in the African-American Community: The Problem of
(7) "Natural Resistors in AOD
Conceptualization" (Milton Morris);
Abuse Prevention in the African-American Family" (Lawford L.
Goddard); (8) "Spirituality in the African-American Community" (Janet
Pinkett); (9) "An Afrocentric Intervention Strategy" (Leonard C.
(10) "Prevention and Intervention Programs Targeted toward
Long);
African-American Youth at High Risk' (Robert J. Courtney, Jr.);
(11)
"Site Visit Report of Three OSAP Grants Targeting African-American
(12) "An African-Centered
Youth at High Risk" (Lawford L. Goddard);
Model of Prevention for African-American Youth at High Risk" (Wade W.
Nobles and Lawford L. Goddard); and (13) "Selected African-Centered
Readings" (Wade W. Nobles, Lawford L. Goddard, William E. Cavil, and
Pamela Y. George). References follow each chapter, and a 167-item
bibliography is included. An attachment lists key concepts and
definitions related to these issues. Nine figures and two exhibits
illustrate the discussions. (SLD)
US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Resean-h and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
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BEST COPY AVAILABLE
CSAP Technical Report-6
African-American Youth at High Risk
Work Group
An African-Centered Model
of Prevention for African-American
Youth at High Risk
Editor
Lawford L. Goddard, Ph.D.,
Director, Education and Training Institute
for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life
and Culture, Inc.
Oakland, California
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II
Rockville, Maryland 20857
3
for High
CSAP Technical Reports are prepared by the Division of Demonstrations
and published by
Risk Populations, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP),
of the series is to
its Division of Communication Programs. The primary objective
between and among
facilitate the transfer of prevention and intervention technology
public and
researchers, administrators, policymakers, educators, and providers in the
exemplary
private sectors. At times, this series will publish reviews of innovative or
by CSAP grantees.
programming models and reviews of evaluative studies conducted
reflect the
The presentations herein are those of the authors and may not necessarily
Abuse and Mental Health
opinions, official policy, or position of CSAP; the Substance
U.S.
Services Administration (SAMHSA); the Public Health Service; or the
Department of Health and Human Services.
from copyrighted
All material appearing in this report, except quoted passages
used or reproduced without permission
sources, is in the public domain and may be
from CSAP or the authors. Citation of the source is appreciated.
CSAP Production and Editing Officer: Joan W. Quinlan
DHHS Publication No. (SMA)93-2015
Printed 1993
Acting Chief, High-Risk Youth Branch
Rose C. Kittrell, MSW
CSAP Technical Report Series
Vivian L. Smith, MSW
Acting Director, CSAP
Myles Doherty
Populations
Acting Director, Division of Demonstrations for High Risk
Robert W. Denniston
Director, Division of Communication Programs
As of October 1,1992, ADAMHA was
reorganized. The Office for Substance
Abuse Prevention (OSAP) became the
Center for Substance Abuse
Prevention (CSAP), the Alcohol, Drug
Abuse, and Mental Health
Administration (ADAMHA) became
the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), and the Division of
Demonstration & Evaluation became
the Division of Demonstrations for
High Risk Populations. This document
was written before the changes took
effect; to avoid confusion and allow
time for transition, the former names
and acronyms have been retained.
Foreword
This report is the product of a conference
dear that there are some important natural
convened by staff of the Office for Sub-
support systems in the African-American
stance Abuse Prevention (OSAP) to explore
community that are successful in prevent-
more practical ways of addressing in a cul-
ing AOD abuse. It is not clear which
turally relevant manner, the needs of Black
programmatic strategies implied by these
youth at high risk. In calling the conference,
natural support systems are most effective
OSAP is attempting to determine what is
for African-American youth, family, and
clinically relevant for the African-American
community, and why.
population and to examine both psychoso-
As we attempt to respond to the AOD
cial and biological factors. The conference
abuse issues confronting African-American
participants discussed and debated the cul-
communities, we have to address the etiol-
tural issues over 2 days. The conference
ogy of drug abuse. Is there a process for
deliberations were guided by the critical
identifying indicators of high risk from
issue of how to translate pragmatically the
an
African-American perspective? What are
theoretical discussions of culture into
these indicators? What are the environmen-
programmatic activities. In doing so, several
tal influences and/or political factors that
key questions must be answered. For
ex-
enhance prevention or make alcohol and
ample, what is the role of culture in alcohol
other drugs readily available? What struc-
and other drug (AOD) use and/or abuse?
tures (internal or external to the family or
Are there contemporary values in the
community) place African-American youth
African-American community that resist
at high risk? Are there family structures
and/or promote AOD abuse? What
are the
that are more resistant to AOD abuse? Are
cultural precepts, values, and norms that
have endured and promote positive
there socioeconomic conditions that con-
tribute to AOD abuse in the African-
psychosocial development and thus serve
American community?
as "natural resistances" to AOD use or
abuse? What is Afrocentridty? How do
we
At the end of 2 days of continual discus-
make this concept operational? These
are
sion, dialog, and debate, the conference
par-
difficult questions because the answers re-
ticipants felt that it was necessary to
quire us to think culturally and to look at
continue the work and develop a written
reality from a different theoretical and
report reflecting the issues raised and help-
philosophical perspective.
ing to point OSAP in the proper direction
In this process of r 'conceptualizing
for service delivery. This document
repre-
prevention services for African-American
sents the refinement and culmination of this
people, it is important to note that African-
effort to address systematically this issue of
American service providers, as members of
culture in service delivery.
a cultural tradition, have daily provided
practical answers to these theoretical ques-
Rose C. Kittrell, MS W,
tions. This has not, however, been ac-
Acting Branch Chief,
complished in a systematic manner. It is
High-Risk Youth Branch, OSAP
iii
5
Acknowledgments
include Omowale Amuleru-Marshall, Ph.D.;
The Center for Substance Abuse Preven-
Robert J. Courtney, Jr., Ph.D.; Dr. Goddard;
tion Technical Reports are prepared by
Mr. Leonard C. Long, M.S.W.; Mr. Milton
the divisions of the Center for Substance
Morris, M.P.P.; Patricia Newton, M.D.;
Abuse Prevention (CSAP) and published by
Wade W. Nobles, Ph.D.; and Ms. Janet
its Division of Communication Programs.
Pinkett. The presentations herein are those
The objective of this report is to facilitate the
of the authors and may not necessarily
transfer of knowledge and intervention
reflect the opinions, official policy, or posi-
strategies that will enhance programs tar-
tion of CSAP, the Substance Abuse and
geted for African-American youth at high
Mental Health Services Administration
risk, their families, and their communities.
(SAMHSA), the Public Health Service, or
The report is based on the findings of an
the U. S. Department of Health and Human
African-American work group of re-
Services.
searchers, policymakers, scholars, and ser-
All materials in this volume, except
vice providers, at the national, State, and
quoted passages from copyrighted sources,
local levels.
used
are in the public domain and may be
This publication was edited by Lawford
from
or reproduced without permission
L. Goddard, Ph.D., Director, Education and
CSAP or the authors. Citation of the source
Training Institute for the Advanced Study
is appreciated.
of Black Family Life and Culture, Inc., Oak-
land, California. The authors of the chapters
iv
Contents
ForewordRose C. Kittrell
iii
Acknowledgments
iv
. IntroductionLawford L. Goddard
1
Contributors
5
Section I:
Overview and Background to Alcohol and Other Drug
Abuse
Problems in the African-American Community
1.
Problem
Background and Scope of the Alcohol and Other Drug
Lawford L. Goddard
11
2.
Familial Precursors to Drug AbuseLawford L. Goddard
19
3.
Political and Economic Implications of Alcohol and
Other Drugs in the
African-American Community Omowale Amuleru-Marshall
23
4.
Issues of Biological Vulnerability in AOD Abuse for the
African-American
CommunityPatricia A. Newton
35
5.
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Literature, 1980 1989: Selected
Abstracts Lawford L. Goddard
47
Section II:
Current Applications and Future Directions for AOD
Abuse Prevention
for Afr; La-American Youth at High Risk
6.
The Complex Nature of Prevention in the African-American
Community:
The Problem of ConceptualizationMilton Morris
59
7.
Natural Resistors in AOD Abuse Prevention in the
African-American
Family Lawford L. Goddard
73
Spirituality in the African-American CommunityJanet
8.
Pinkett
79
9.
An Afrocentric Intervention StrategyLeonard C. Long
87
10.
Prevention and Intervention Programs Targeted Toward
African-American
Youth at High RiskRobert J. Courtney, Jr.
93
11.
Site Visit Report of Three OSAP Grants Targeting
African-American Youth
at High Risk Lawford L. Goddard
103
Section III: Toward an African-Centered Model of
Prevention for African-American
Youth at High Risk
12.
An African-Centered Model of Prevention for African-American
Youth at
High Risk Wade W. Nobles and Lawford L. Goddard
115
13.
Selected African-Centered ReadingsWade W. Nobles, Lawford
L. Goddard,
William E. Cavil, and Pamela Y. George
131
Bibliography
135
Key Concepts and Definitions Relative. to African-Centered
Prevention
141
Introduction
Lawford L. Goddard
The Office for Substance Abuse Preven-
Alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse
tion (OSAP), as the central governmental
has emerged as the leading social,
agency in the field of AOD problem preven-
economic, and health problem facing the
tion, provides critical leadership in the at-
African-American community. In addition
tempt to make service delivery to
to contributing to the excess deaths in the
African-American youth at high risk consis-
Black community from cancer, strokes, hy-
tent with traditional African-American cul-
pertension, cirrhosis of the liver, and heart
ture. As part of this creative process, OSAP
diseases, AOD abuse is a major factor in the
has convened two major technical discus-
increase in crime, family violence, the grow-
sions to explore the general applicability of
ing rate of violent deaths among Blacks, and
African and African-American cultural
the depletion of the future resources of the
traditions to the alcohol and other drug
African-American community. Alcohol and
abuse prevention field. One group, the
other drug abuse, furthermore, leads to an
Morehouse Meeting of Afrocentric Scholars,
erosion of life chances, an erosion of family
consisting primarily of scholars and
life, and the erosion of the cultural tradi-
theoreticians, met in Atlanta to discuss the
tions and sense of community life for
general issues of African cultural traditions
Blacks. It is a multifaceted problem that af-
and AOD use and abuse. A second group,
fects the Black community at many different
an African-American work group, made up
levels and for which there is no simple
of scholars, service providers, and preven-
solution.
tion practitioners, convened in Washington,
Over the past 15 years the African-
D.C., to grapple with some of the critical
American community has witnessed several
questions raised in translating theory into
attempts to provide AOD abuse prevention
practice.
services, which have generally failed to
This report attempts to continue these
solve the issue. Over this time, a group of
discussions and provide a starting point for
scholars and practitioners (Nobles 1984;
the development of authentic prevention
King 1985; Akbar 1985; Asante 1988) has ar-
strategies for use in African-American com-
gued that service delivery to African
munities, many of which constitute high-
Americans is doomed to failure when it
risk environments for African-American
does not recognize or build on the cultural
youth. It is not designed as a "how to"
integrity of the African-American com-
manual. Nor does it mandate the specific
munity. The inability of previous programs
detail of programmatic activities. It should
to significantly prevent AOD abuse has
serve as a working model that highlights
brought to the forefront the issue of cultural
the key components of AOD abuse preven-
consistency as the key ingredient in provid-
tion that is consistent with traditional
ing services to culturally diverse com-
African-American culture. It recognizes that
munities. However, even with the call for
the specific aspects of any program must be
culturally consistent program development
grounded in the different concrete condi-
and implementation, there remains the ques-
tions surrounding the target population,
tion of pragmatically translating the
which shares a common philosophical and
theoretical discussions of culture into
cultural foundation.
programmatic activities.
An African-Centered Model of Prevention for African-American Youth at High Risk
The report is organized into three sec-
nary behaviors that are associated with
tions. Section I presents an overview of the
dietary practices could serve as the precur-
AOD use/abuse problem. The scope of the
sor to addictive behavior. She examines the
problem is presented in chapter 1, which
issue of melanin as it relates to African
provides the background information on
Americans and discusses the way in which
AOD use/abuse in the Black community:
the biochemical structure of African
Lawford L. Goddard presents some of the
Americans could potentially make them
current statistics that attest to the severity of
more vulnerable to AOD dependence.
the problem and explores the general en-
As a resource for section I, chapter 5
vironmental context of AOD use/abuse. Is-
provides a review of the general literature
sues relating to environmental stress, the
dealing with AOD abuse issues. The list of
influence of the media, popular culture, and
abstracts of the literature dealing with sub-
advertising campaigns and promotions are
stance use/abuse in the African-American
also examined. Dr. Goddard indicates that
community highlights the lack of a consis-
these are the primary external environmen-
tent theoretical or methodological approach
tal factors that affect the African-American
to these issues.
community.
Section II presents current applications
In chapter 2, Dr. Goddard addresses the
and future directions for prevention ser-
features in the family system that could be
vices. The section's major thrust is the high-
considered precursors to AOD use/abuse.
lighting of current approaches to AOD
He suggests that the Black community is
use/abuse prevention in an attempt to ex-
systematically exposed to conditions of un-
tract those features that are achieving some
derdevelopment that make it difficult for
form of success.
the family to perform its basic functions of
preparing children for participation in the
In chapter 6, Milton Morris explores the
wider society. He further indicates that the
theoretical issues surrounding the concep-
Black family is experiencing a process of cul-
tualization of the prevention issue in the
tural disalignment wherein the rules that
African-American community and under-
govern its behavior are inconsistent with
lims the complexity of the issue. Prevention
traditional African-American values and cul-
is not a simple act. He suggests that the way
tural foundations. The evidence of this dis-
we define the nature and meaning of
alignment is the incidence of AOD
prevention has implications for determining
use/abuse.
the type of activities that we engage in, who
the key actors are, what their roles are, and
In chapter 3, Omowale Amuleru-
what outcomes are sought. Thus, much ef-
Marshall explores the economic and politi-
fort is needed beforehand in providing a
cal implications of drugs in the African-
conceptual framework for tne issue of
American community. He suggests that the
prevention, and Mr. Morris points out the
presence of alcohol and other drugs in the
problematic nature of prevention activities
Black community represents part of the
within the African-American community.
process of sociostructural violence that the
Black population faces in this country. For
In chapter 7, Dr. Goddard continues the
him, AOD use/abuse is a manifestation of
discussion of issues concerning the concep-
intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional
tualization of AOD abuse prevention and
violence, all consequences of sociostructural
deals with the features in the African-
violence that arise in an unjust society.
American family that serve as natural resis-
In chapter 4, Patricia A. Newton discus-
tors to AOD abuse. Dr. Goddard suggests
ses the issues of biological vulnerability and
that the traditional Black family system is
their relationship to AOD abuse. Alcohol
based on the affirmation of life and
and other drug abuse is highly complicated.
promotes the growth and development of
Dr. Newton explores the way in which ordi-
the child. The family performs several
2
Introduction
critical functions that serve to stabilize and
munity. The programs represent new and
place the child in a particular social context
promising, but largely untested, prevention
that facilitates effective social functioning,
designs and strategies. These programs'
and these functions minimize the pressures
benefits suggest the nature of what could
to engage in self-destructive behavior.
constitute potentially "successful" program-
ming.
In chapter 8, Janet Pinkett addresses the
critical role of spirituality in African-
Section III comprises a discussion of the
American society and suggests that a deep
components of an Afrocentric model of
spiritual conviction was the essence of the AOD abuse prevention.
Black family's social reality. Spirituality es-
In chapter 12, Wade W. Nobles and Dr.
tablished a sense of a higher purpose in life
Goddard discuss the nature and charac-
and placed everyday suffering and pain
teristics of an Afrocentric model of preven-
within a broader context of one's beingness.
tion. This prevention model provides the
The spiritual element in the Black family
framework for the development of
enabled its members to transcend and trans-
programs whose activities are infused with
form their experiential conditions so that
the culture of African Americans. The
they were able to function effectively in a
philosophical foundation of the program,
society that denied them the full benefits of
the teaching techniques, and the specific ac-
membership. Ms. Pinkett concludes this
tivities are all consistent with the traditional
chapter with suggestions of ways to incor-
culture. The prevention model examined in
porate the spiritual dimension into a preven-
this chapter represents one step in the long
tion model.
history of African-American scholars and
practitioners responding to the need to
In chapter 9, Leonard C. Long docu-
develop services. It is an attempt to present
ments the weaknesses and errors of tradi-
formally and systematically the strategies
tional approaches used in the delivery of
and processes that draw from and build
services to African Americans. Essentially,
upon the collective wisdom of African and
Mr. Long suggests that these models are in-
adequate and that prevention and/or inter-
African-American people. It is not the final
or definitive word on the issue; rather, it
vention strategies based on these models
represents the current stage of transition in
would be inadequate for Black populations.
the development of the African-American
He concludes by presenting the charac-
population. It should serve as a stimulus for
teristics of a program in Dallas that is based
the creative development of other sys-
on the application of an Afrocentric value
tematic approaches to address the variety of
system.
forces affecting the community.
In chapter 10, Robert J. Courtney, Jr.
Chapter 13 provides a selected
provides empirical data about features of
Afrocentric reading list developed by
successful programs. In his summary, Dr.
scholars and practitioners of the Institute
Courtney lays out some of the main lessons
for the Advanced Study of Black Family
that the field of prevention has learned,
Life and Culture. These readings represent
which are based on an assessment of
some of the salient theoretical and empirical
prevention demonstration projects OSAP
works by scholars who have adopted the
has funded in the past.
Afrocentric paradigm for the study of the
In chapter 11, Dr. Goddard presents
African-American experience. The list is im-
results from site visits to three current
portant in provk' ng a framework and sug-
prevention programs. The programs are in
gestions for the establishment of study
different regions of the country, and all
groups to discuss and analyze the written
have achieved some success. In their own
materials. It is suggested that in the process
way, these programs reflect the variety of is-
of engaging in study groups families can be
sues confronting the African-American corn-
reunited, the community can be revitalized,
0