"A 28-day program ain't helping the crack smoker" - Perceptions of effective drug abuse prevention interventions by north Central Florida African Americans who use cocaine

    Authors

    E. J. Brown; M. A. Hill;S. A. Giroux

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Rural Health

    Keywords

    WOMEN; BEHAVIOR; HIV; Health Care Sciences & Services; Health Policy & Services; Public, ; Environmental & Occupational Health

    Abstract

    Context: Cocaine is a major problem in the rural South, but knowledge is limited regarding the impact on African American populations. Purpose: This study of 18-39-year-old black drug users assessed perceptions of contributing factors to drug use and possible interventions. Methods: The study design was qualitative-descriptive, utilizing 4 focus groups with 5 rural women and 14 small-city residents. Findings: Some respondents perceived that drug use initiation and continuation were due to themes Of (1) loss, (2) peer pressure, (3) personal problems and dealing with pain, (4) desire for fun or to "feel good," and (5) drugs and drug-related messages within their environments. Common themes of effective strategies to stop drug use were (1) the necessity of wanting to quit, (2) the importance of help or support from family and friends, and (3) the need for resources, such as a job, car, and housing. Some respondents agreed on 3 human resources: (1) family, (2) ex-users, and (3) churches. Strategies to increase attendance at drug prevention programs included (1) making the program fun/enjoyable, (2) having mixed gender programs, (3) providing food/money, and (4) having the programs in their community. Recurrent themes were the lack of drug prevention intervention programs available to respondents and the failure of traditional programs of the majority culture to adequately meet their needs. Conclusion: Effective drug prevention programs for southern African Americans who use cocaine must be community based, personalized, and culturally relevant.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Rural Health

    Volume

    20

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2004

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    286

    Last Page

    295

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000232016200014

    ISSN

    0890-765X

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