NCJ Number
169806
Date Published
Unknown
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report presents 21 recommendations for planning, evaluating, and leading coalitions to prevent drug abuse, based on information from an unpublished paper titled Experiential Lessons on Community Coalitions for Preventing Substance Abuse.
Abstract
The discussion emphasizes that leading a coalition is both exhausting and exhilarating and that coalitions and communities can learn from each other even though each is unique. Among lessons on planning are that coalition memberships should include people of influence, should include people most affected by the problem, and should reflect cultural diversity and leaders from traditionally disenfranchised populations. In addition, the action plan should include all the proposed changes that are important to the mission of the coalition; these changes should be placed in priority order according to feasibility and importance to the mission. The strategic plan should also change to reflect new conditions. The plan should be refined and ratified annually. The coalition should also use local and sustainable resources to implement interventions and expect resistance from unexpected sources. Evaluation should begin with the inception of the coalition and be an ongoing and integral part of the coalition's developmental process. Coalition leadership should use the media to help set the issue agenda. They should also be effective brokers and can use information as a source of power. Additional recommendations