The rationale for targeted and tailored substance use prevention programs derives from essentially three observations: 1) differences in substance use prevalence rates across racial/ethnic groups; 2) differences in the prevalence of the risk factors for substance use across racial/ethnic groups; and 3) differences in the predictors of substance use across groups. This article provides a model for understanding cultural sensitivity as it pertains to substance use prevention. Cultural sensitivity is defined by two dimensions, surface and deep structure. Surface structure involves matching intervention materials and messages to observable, “superficial” characteristics of a target population. This may involve using people, places, language, product brands, music, food, locations, and clothing familiar to, and preferred by, the target audience. Surface structure refers to how well interventions fit within a specific culture. Deep structure involves incorporating the cultural, social, historical, environmental, and psychologic forces that influence the target health behavior in the proposed target population. For example, peer influences may exert a greater influence on substance use initiation among White and Hispanic than among African American youth, while parental influences may be stronger among African Americans. Whereas surface structure generally increases the "receptivity" or "acceptance" of messages, deep structure conveys salience. Techniques for developing culturally sensitive interventions, borrowed from social marketing and health communication theory, are described. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This research examined relationships among four variables, including (a) participation in a culturally based prevention program, (b) changes in drug attitudes, (c) changes in racial identity, and (d) changes in alcohol use. The sample included 311 African American sixth graders (56% male) enrolled in a national study of high-risk youth. Participants completed the Children’s Racial Identity Scale, the Africentric Values Scale for Children, the Tentative Drug Use Scale, the Children’s Social Desirability Scale, and an index of alcohol use. The results indicated that youth who became more tolerant (lenient) in their drug attitudes between sixth and seventh grades were more likely to increase their alcohol use. In addition, two alternative models were tested to examine the dynamics of how changing racial identity and drug attitudes operate in a culturally based intervention to reduce the likelihood of future drug use. Support was found for both models with no convincing evidence showing that one was better than the other.

Many organizations are at the present time faced with two problems. First, what are the events that are likely to have important implications for their activities in future time periods? Second, what new areas should they consider entering and how can they make quick appraisal of the potential in such areas? There are no easy answers to either of these questions but a number of methods have been proposed which have been found to be of assistance. This paper outlines an approach based on the use of abstracting services which can provide useful information quickly and inexpensively.

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