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

Abstract

Conference participants attempted to determine what is clinically relevant for the African-American population and to examine both psychological and biological factors. Deliberations were guided by the critical issue of how to translate pragmatically the theoretical discussions of culture into programmatic activities. In so doing, several key questions were addressed: (1) the role of culture in alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and abuse; (2) contemporary values in the African-American community that may resist or promote AOD abuse; (3) cultural precepts, values, and norms that have endured and promote positive psychosocial development; and (4) what is Afrocentricity and how to make this concept operational. Conference discussions were divided into three sections: (1) Overview and Background to Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse: Problems in the African-American Community; (2) Current Applications and Future Directions for AOD Abuse Prevention for African-American Youth at High Risk; (3) Toward an African-American Model of Prevention for African-American Youth at High Risk. There is a list of Key Concepts and Definitions Relative to African-Centered Prevention. Bibliography, references, footnotes, figures, exhibits