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Community Education: Utilizing a Grass-roots Approach

NCJ Number
125733
Journal
Drug Education Journal of Australia Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 53-59
Author(s)
S Anstis
Date Published
1990
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper presents an overview of community networking with particular focus on the development of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Ipswich (AFDI) near Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract
The role of grass-roots community organizations is examined regarding provision of education, awareness, action and other activities, and the rationale behind this approach. It reviews the formation and initial development of the Families in Action Against Drug Abuse (FIA), the ADFI and their activities, group enhancing and limiting factors, and future development plans. The activities complement agency-based community work and are often associated with school activities and other organizations such as curriculum-based learning and life education. Emphasis is placed on legal drugs, predisposing factors to drug use, responsible use rather than total abstinence from legal drug use, peer and parent modeling, and health alternatives. The future of these organizations is determined by community needs, as well as group and individual member needs, interactions of these groups, the role of regional Alcohol and Drug worker, and the support of government and nongovernment agencies. Tables and 12 references.