The symposium focused on models and strategies underlying community action research, with consideration given to a diverse range of interventions for alcohol prevention. Three issues related to community mobilization in the initial planning and assessment phase of a prevention project were identified and discussed by symposium participants: defining a community and the implications of definition for research projects; identifying key stakeholders within a community; and respective advantages and disadvantages of top-down versus bottom-up approaches to community research. Symposium participants examined community assessment of alcohol problems as well as community commitment and involvement. The symposium was an opportunity for personal testimonials on experiences with community action research. It was generally agreed that community action research on alcohol and other drug problems is challenging because of the many contingencies that must be addressed in program planning, implementation, and completion. Researchers working in the community cannot function effectively alone; they must establish links with others who support community-based research. 26 references