Examples of community-based approaches include the Connexions program, which is staffed by youth workers and counselors. It places a high value on human relationships; staff are employed specifically for their capacity to forge emotionally authentic relationships. The program is well aware of the importance of being able to work with each young person in his or her particular familial, social and economic context. The Youth Substance Abuse Service, a statewide residential detoxification service, also uses youth workers to advise, support, and counsel young heroin users and help them create wider linkages with family and other support networks. Youth workers are also employed in projects meeting the needs of young drug abusers from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Programs are being designed to relate harm minimization issues to the needs of indigenous people. Community-based approaches involve families in drug abuse programs for young people, from delivery of parent training specifically around drug abuse issues to inclusion of families in withdrawal and rapid detoxification programs. The article also discusses theoretical and practical implications of community-based approaches to drug abuse issues. References