NCJ Number
192917
Date Published
1999
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This report presents a summary of the proceedings of the National Substance Abuse Prevention Congress, held in Washington, D.C., March 23-25, 1999, including the draft National Framework for Substance Abuse Prevention and highlights of the conference evaluation analyses; this report does not contain information on or summaries of copies of opening speeches, key note addresses, conference plenary papers, or panel presentations.
Abstract
Objectives of the Congress were to reach consensus on national high-priority objectives and strategies proposed to achieve them; to identify existing efforts undertaken in support of recommended objectives; to identify and commit to short-term and long-term action steps to support specific objectives; and to build, strengthen, and sustain the National Prevention System (NPS) through collaborative or complementary efforts. The nine prevention focus areas involved strengthening the following: the NPS infrastructure, communities, youth, parents and families, schools, workplaces, faith communities, prevention in health care, and research. Participants agreed upon the need for more attention to the following areas: collaboration, inclusiveness and diversity, broader representation at the Congress, government's roles and responsibilities, funding strategies and approaches, and research. Collaboration and cooperation include the sharing of best practices and proven approaches and expanding the formation of partnerships among community service organizations. Inclusiveness and diversity involves recognizing the special challenges in serving racial, ethnic, and social minorities. Attentiveness to schools, children, youth, and families includes increasing the representation of youth at the National Congress. Government roles and responsibilities involve reducing government bureaucracy and eliminating gridlock from overlapping jurisdictions and clarifying the position of the NPS relative to shaping Federal legislation and policy. Funding recommendations include working with the State to encourage them to act as mediators for Federal funding. Research recommendations pertain to training for program evaluations and the application of research findings to daily prevention practice. Participant suggestions for improving the National Congress are included. Appended conference program