Introduction

Abstract

For a small group of Israeli, Palestinian, and US colleagues, the last 20 years reflects a remarkable record of achievement addressing mental health and drug addiction issues in the Middle East-overcoming issues of language, boundaries, and political strife. The contributors to this volume understand that any meaningful response to mental health and addiction must begin with an understanding of the specific nature of the problems, which segment of the population and number of people are affected, and which agencies can help those people in need of assistance. Presenting mental health and drug problems may be likened to "craftsmanship." The task of collecting and organizing information from researchers, educators, and others who have knowledge and/or who have developed ways to address the problem is no simple feat. To generate a final product that provides a coherent body of usable knowledge requires skill; it is a time-consuming process for organizers and contributors alike. The roots of this book began in 1997 when regional and international experts, including those from the Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles and the World Health Organization, came together to share knowledge about drug prevention and treatment. In many respects, this book and preceding efforts are a valuable source of useable information for policy purposes and intervention strategies in the Middle East region and elsewhere. The book focuses on collaboration and a shared sense of meaning as an underlying theme to address sociocultural, mental health, and addiction care issues. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)