The Detroit Profile highlights a number of efforts that reflect commitment to prevention, treatment and criminal justice in Detroit, many of which were suggested by members of our Technical Advisory Panel. Few of these programs have been evaluated; there is an urgent need to assess their effectiveness before they are replicated elsewhere. While the programs described are not an exhaustive list, they represent the diverse funding strategies, collaborations and designs implemented throughout the city.

Coalition Efforts Add Up. In urban areas across the country, people worry that alcohol and tobacco billboards may be placed disproportionately in low-income neighborhoods. In 1988, Detroit residents and local leaders formed the Coalition of Billboard Advertisting Against Alcohol and Tobacco (CABAAT), following protests against a Wild Irish Rose billboard located a few feet from a shelter for run-away teens. Led by City Councilmember Alberta Tinsley-Williams and Congressman John Conyers, the rally resulted in residents advocating restrictions on billboard ads for alcohol and tobacco. CABAAT staff keep track of billboards throughout the city, up to 50 percent of which advertise alcohol and cigarettes; the figure is 58 percent in lower income zipcodes compared to 43 percent in higher income areas. A 1997 Wayne State University study showed a 50 percent drop in the number of alcohol billboards in the areas where CABAAT has fought to reduce such advertising. CABAAT's campaign removed ads for tobacco-rolling papers from over 100 billboards in the city. CABAAT also leads substance abuse prevention and education workshops and provides technical assistance to other groups implementing similar projects. For more information, call (313) 872-2279.

Reaching Out To Gay Communities. Alcoholism affects 20 to 30 percent of gays and lesbians, placing homosexuals at increased risk for alcohol and other drug use and abuse. This behavior also raises their risk for HIV; nearly 10 percent of gay men in Michigan do not wear condoms as a result of being high or drunk. In 1996, the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) established Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention and Training (ADAPT) to address the substance abuse prevention needs of southeast Michigan's gay population. Using methods developed by the Center for AIDS Intervention Research of the Medical College of Wisconsin, MAPP staff trained 50 gay community leaders to teach prevention and risk reduction, and help change norms within the gay community. In 1997, the program launched a statewide media campaign on substance abuse prevention and HIV/AIDS aware-ness. Bars, drug treatment centers, businesses and gay community centers distribute alcohol and other drug educational and referral guides. More than 40 agencies received gay sensitivity training. Financial support for ADAPT has been provided by the Hope Fund, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, the Colin Higgins Foundation, and the Center for Substance Abuse Services of the Michigan Department of Community Health. For details about ADAPT, call (248) 545-1435.

Sharing Health and Education. The Life Points Outreach Program was established by the Community Health Awareness Group on World AIDS Day in 1996.The first licensed needle exchange pro-gram in the City of Detroit, Life Points aims to reduce the spread of HIV among injection drug users and those close to them by providing sterile needles and syringes as well as HIV risk education and counseling in five locations. Life Points also refers injection drug users to drug treatment and works to reduce the number of needles and syringes discarded in public places. In 1997, the Life Points mobile unit expanded outreach to target populations and increase program visibility. Life Points works closely with other community public agencies, including businesses, law enforcement, churches and non-profit organizations. Life Points has been recognized as an effective model for HIV prevention among injection drug users by the Congressional Black Caucus of the United States Congress, the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 1996, Life Points has had 689 participants and has referred 121 clients to drug treatment. In addition, Life Points has exchanged 78,189 syringes and distributed 56,404 condoms, 81,706 alcohol wipes and 10,444 needle sterilization kits.When surveyed, 88 percent of participants reported no needle sharing in the preceding 90 days. For more details, call (313) 872-2424.

Working With Children. In 1990, the Maplegrove Community Education developed the Maplegrove Children's Programs to work with children of substance abusers.This focus distinguishes Maplegrove Children's Programs from other addiction services.The program reaches youth between the ages of five and twelve. Maplegrove offers children a place to learn about the harms and impact of alcoholism and other drug addiction on individuals and their families.Through age appropriate education, recreation and discussion, Maplegrove Children's Programs teach youth how to make good decisions, get help, and stay safe. Children enrolled in Maplegrove's programs attend sessions two hours a week for 8 consecutive weeks. A two-week sum-mer day camp offers a variety of outdoor educational and recreational programs. Parents may attend an optional program where they learn what their children are taught each day; in addition, Maplegrove staff give parents a better understanding of how various family stresses affect their children. Parents are taught how to improve communication with their children and how to make good parenting decisions. An evaluation of Maplegrove's Children's Programs is currently underway. In 1994, it was elected the Detroit Program of the Year by the Tri-County Volunteers Association. It has also received the Michigan Hospital Association Award and a letter of merit from The American Hospital Association. Part of the Henry Ford Behavioral Services, the program is supported by the Downriver Advisory Council, the Junior League of Detroit, and the Wayne County Youth Education Fund. For more information, call (248) 661-6170.

Serving Adults. People over age 60 take more prescription drugs than any other age group in the United States, yet they are less likely to seek professional help if they become addicted. Drug abuse among high risk adults is a central focus of Adult Well-Being Services, a non-profit agency serving adults with advancing age, low income, mental or physical health problems and other challenges.The agency has four substance abuse programs to reach adults and their families. First, Project S.A.F.E. provides community-based prevention, education and information to help prevent addiction; the program was profiled in 1998 by the Gerontology Network.The Senior Service Center offers addiction counseling in collaboration with Harper Hospital.The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program is a collaboration with the Greater Detroit Chapter of the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency (NCADD) to provide information, treatment and prevention to families. Finally, the Increase Your Dreams with Substance Abuse Prevention program, funded by the Prevention Network, is a prevention tool for individuals with developmental disabilities. Adult Well-Being serves more than 3,000 tri-county residents each year and receives funding from United Way, individuals, corporations, government grants and private foundations. Adult Well-Being is affiliated with Generations United, the National Caucus of Black Aged and Continuing Care Alliance. For more information, call (313) 924-7860.

Rapping With Youth After School. Positive after-school activities are an essential part of helping parents and communities raise healthy children.The Detroit Recreation Department offers after-school prevention programs which focus on social skills, cultural awareness, recreational activities and academic success. Among these programs is the Recreation and Prevention Project (RAP). Funded by the Michigan Department of Community Health and administered by the Detroit Health Department's Bureau of Substance Abuse, RAP works with 400 3rd to 6th grade youth who are referred by school administrators and counselors.Through art projects, role-playing activities, discussions and field trips, youth learn about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. RAP also provides a variety of recreation and sports activities as positive alternatives. Parents are included in semi-annual meetings at which project goals and prevention strategies are discussed. By involving parents in the prevention process, RAP's prevention ideas can be reinforced at home. RAP is offered in four Detroit Recreation Department Centers, with transportation provided for students who need it.The Wayne State University Counselor Training Program assists RAP staff in leading the program. For more information, call (313) 224-4367.
 

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