Recent Evaluations

During the past five years, two major national evaluations have contributed to greater understanding of the factors that characterize strong coalitions. Although neither of  the national evaluations produced clear-cut evidence that community coalitions have had significant measurable effect in preventing new use or reducing substance abuse, the two studies did provide a wealth of information about coalition structures, strategies< and characteristics.

In terms of the stated objectives for the Fighting Back program—to limit the number of new alcohol and other drug users; reduce the number of deaths and injuries related to substance abuse; and lessen the effects of alcohol and drugs on health, employment and crime —very few coalition succeeded all three fronts. However, several coalitions were able to secure funding for new youth treatment services; many obtained extensive media coverage about substance abuse problems and Fighting Back; and a few were able to substitute billboard ads for alcohol and tobacco with anti-drug messages. Most coalitions were successful in community organizing in targeted neighborhoods for a variety of tasks, which included campaigning to limit alcohol outlets and working with police to reduce drug dealing, alcohol sales to minors, prostitution, and public inebriation. 

Fighting Back continues to evaluate their efforts and report results.   For example, in Vallejo, California, Fighting Back staff worked with city officials in 1998 to pass an operating standards ordinance on existing alcohol outlets.  The result was a 53 percent reduction in nuisance-related police calls from liquor and convenience stores, bars, and restaurants.   Between January 2000 and May 2001, New Haven’s Project Assert screened 7,000 people in the local hospital emergency room for substance abuse problems and referred 272 of these individuals to treatment.