Promising Strategies : Results of the Fourth National Survey on Community Efforts To Reduce Substance Abuse and Gun Violence / Steven Rathgeb Smith, Astrid K. Dretler and David L. Rosenbloom.

More than 4,000 people responded to a survey about community efforts to reduce substance abuse and gun violence. Six major findings were identified from the responses of 1,608 people who identified themselves as leaders of community efforts in these areas. Community leaders want significant changes in long-standing public policies and a change in the spending priorities of the federal government as they relate to substance abuse and violence. Responses show that coalitions are an integral component of a community's response to substance abuse. Results also show that all community-based institutions can improve their responses and increase their attention to substance abuse. The structures and characteristics of coalitions differ in places where the substance abuse situation is improving from those where substance abuse is staying the same or getting worse. Findings also show that there is no one ideal type of coalition. A final major finding is that many coalitions are taking an active role to prevent gun violence in their communities. A discussion of methodology and a sample questionnaire are included. (Contains 16 tables.) (SLD)

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