The Woodrock Youth Development Project (YDP) aims to reduce alcohol tobacco, and drug (ATOD) use among adolescents. The YDP targets riskfactors thatpredispose youth to substance abuse, such as low self-esteem, unhealthy attitudes toward substance abuse, and lack of knowledge about drug effects. The YDP aims to improve problem-solving and coping skills, to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, and to improve self-perception through increasing academic achievement as well as fostering a sense of cultural pride. Participation in the YDP was shown to reduce the incidence of drug use. Among younger (6 through 9 years of age) participants, the program improved interracial relations and marginally boosted self-esteem and knowledge about ATOD use. Furtherresearch is needed, however, to determine why the programfailed toproduce improvements m these latter atitudinal risk factors among older (10 through 14 years of age) respondents.

The backgrounds and roles of ex-addict ( EXA ) and non-ex-addict (NEA) paraprofessional methadone maintenance and drug-free out-patient counselors were contrasted with those of degreed professional counselors (PRO). There was no evidence of differential assignment of clients to counselors based on drug use, drug treatment, criminal, educational, and employment histories. The three counselor groups were remarkably similar in their participation in 11 areas of job activities ranging from counseling duties per se through administrative support functions. The only reliable difference was the greater involvement of EXAs in counseling and community education activities which took them outside the program.

The progress in treatment of 302 methadone maintenance and drug-free outpatient clients was examined as a function of the background of their 82 counselors. Counselors were either ex-addict paraprofessionals (EXAs), non-ex-addict paraprofessionals (NEAs), or degreed professional counselors (PROs). Client progress was assessed in five areas: drug use, criminality, educational activities, employment, and life quality. In the first four areas, status at treatment entry contrasted with that at two subsequent measurement points: the first interview and a 4-month follow-up. In no area of evaluation were outcomes substantially more favorable for clients of one counselor group over another. It was concluded that the three counselor groups were equally effective.