The conference was attended by more than 2,200 individuals, including health professionals, economic development specialists, community organizers, academic leaders, and experts from many other disciplines. Youth represented an integral part of the conference, and their presence highlighted the importance of cultivating intergenerational leadership and preparing youth for leadership roles and responsibilities. Conference participants noted that alcohol and other drugs sometimes kill directly through their physiological effects on the body. More often, however, alcohol and other drugs kill indirectly; the homicide rate among black males is increasing and many of the deaths are drug-related. Further, the number of AIDS deaths continues to increase, especially in black communities where drug abuse is prevalent. Conference presentations focus on social conditions that contribute to or inhibit alcohol and other drug use among black male youths, the treatment of black males by the criminal justice system, drug-exposed babies in black communities, drug- related HIV infection and AIDS among black women, juvenile drug abuse and treatment, the family's role in alcohol and drug use prevention, community organization to prevent alcohol and other drug use, community empowerment, spirituality, and the health status of blacks. References, tables, and figures