A number of differences exist between men and women in use patterns and risk factors for substance abuse. In recent years these differences have received increased attention; however, gender-related attitudes toward substance abuse need additional study. This study examines gender-related differences in beliefs about the causes of the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; the power of various substances of abuse; the prevalence of substance use; and the effectiveness of various interventions. Women were more likely to attribute causality to biological or environmental factors, to perceive drugs as more powerful, to perceive a higher incidence of substance abuse, and to believe prevention and treatment were more effective. Therefore, prevention, assessment, and treatment programs should be designed differently for women than for men.

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Success in the recent shift in focus of alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevention programs to comprehensive community models requires widespread citizen participation. Few studies, however, have examined the factors that affect individual participation in the area of AOD prevention. Building upon the citizen participation literature from a variety of non‐AOD substantive areas, this study hypothesizes and examines a path model composed of three constructs that may affect participation: participation accessibility, desire to participate, and knowledge about participation. Data for the study were gathered in a stratified random telephone sample of 1,019 adult citizens of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This instrument was composed of 26 closed‐ended questions about substance use and abuse within the residents' communities, as well as individual participation in seven county‐sponsored prevention programs. Data were analyzed using path coefficients and analysis of variance. The resulting analysis demonstrated support for the model and the hypothesized relationships among the constructs. From these results, recommendations for increasing citizen participation are provided.

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