FACING FACTS

Drug Strategies

Facing Facts

Prevention Programs

Promising Programs

Facing Facts highlights a number of promising programs that reflect innovation in prevention, treatment, criminal justice and the workplace, many of which were suggested by members of our Advisory Panel. While the programs described are not an exhaustive list, they represent the diverse funding strategies, collaborations and designs implemented throughout the District. Wherever possible, the report highlights programs which are based on research and have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing alcohol, tobacco or other drug use.

Needle Exchange Policy. Injection drug users and their sexual partners are the fastest growing group of new HIV and AIDS cases in Washington, D.C. To help curb HIV transmission and reduce drug use, the Whitman-Walker clinic initiated a needle exchange program -- an approach recommended by the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Science, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Bar Association. In 1996, Whitman-Walker, a community-based AIDS services provider, piloted a needle exchange program in which participants received clean needles by trading in their used ones. Funded by city revenues, by 1998 the program was operating five days a week from 12 mobile sites around the city and exchanging 8,000-10,000 needles a week for 2,000 injection drug users. Drug users were also referred to treatment programs and provided free HIV tests. Consistent with findings nationwide, participants in the Whitman-Walker program reported significantly fewer HIV risk behaviors and less drug use. Reductions included a 29 percent drop in the number of drug injections, an 18 percent drop in heroin use, and a 50 percent drop in crack use compared to the month prior to entering the program. Nevertheless, in October 1998, Congress barred the District of Columbia from funding needle exchange programs, and prohibited all federal funding for any organization that operates a needle exchange program in the District. As a result of the ban, Whitman-Walker's $220,000 needle exchange program closed. Whitman-Walker and local health advocates recently announced the formation of Prevention Works, Inc., a new, privately-funded organization, whose sole purpose will be to carry out a local needle exchange program. To learn more, call Prevention Works at (202) 939-7820.

Fighting Drugs by Helping Kids. Washington's Anacostia and Congress Heights neighborhoods are plagued by the city's highest rates of documented drug use and associated violence, plus many other socioeconomic difficulties. Covenant House Washington, a nonprofit Catholic organization, helps address these problems by providing comprehensive programs for troubled youth aged 16 to 21. Since 1995, Covenant House Washington has reached nearly 13,000 children with after-school tutoring, meals, transportation, employment and GED training, spiritual counseling, life skills classes, career exploration activities and legal services. Each child is assigned a service manager to develop a long-term plan and act as the child's advocate. Children can also join a leadership group (the Anacostia Youth Congress) or travel to Europe through the Young Ambassador Program. Covenant House Washington helps sponsor youth rap sessions and forums which allow local youth to discuss substance abuse, violence and related issues with various audiences, including local policy makers. Covenant House Washington also provides a 24-hour hotline and a Mobile Outreach Support Team that patrols neighborhoods for four hours every evening. Housing and related services are available for neglected youth and young mothers and their children. Covenant House, which has headquarters in New York, is the largest privately-funded child care agency in the United States. For additional details about Covenant House Washington, call (202) 610-9600.

Coalition Confronts Tobacco. Every day, approximately 3,000 U.S. teens start smoking, even though they cannot legally purchase cigarettes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that unless teen smoking rates drop dramatically, more than 5 million of today's youth will die from smoking-related diseases, including nearly 5,000 D.C. youth. Since 1997, the 'Cause Children Count Coalition ('CCCC), part of the D.C. Smokeless State initiative, has sought to lower teen smoking rates through education, leadership training and media activities. Using materials from the American Cancer Society, 'CCCC runs a tobacco prevention and advocacy pilot program in four city schools. Weekly classes address the physical and environmental effects of tobacco, and raise awareness about the marketing practices of the tobacco industry. In 1997 'CCCC introduced a bill in the D.C. Council to prohibit outdoor tobacco advertising near facilities where children congregate. The November 1998 tobacco settlement bans tobacco advertisements larger than 14 square feet, but permits smaller signs outside retail establishments. 'CCCC launched an anti-tobacco advertising campaign in Metro buses, bus shelters, newspaper ads and flyers. Currently, the Coalition is developing tobacco control strategies for churches with the help of the Congress of National Black Churches. 'CCCC is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Bell Atlantic, the District of Columbia Department of Health and the Cafritz Foundation. To learn more about the 'Cause Children Count Coalition, call (202) 986-4500.

Filling a Void for Latino Youth. The support and guidance of adult role models can play a crucial role in helping young people avoid drugs. Hermanos y Hermanas Mayores (Big Brothers/Big Sisters) provides these important mentors for Latino youth. The program matches adult volunteers -- after a rigorous screening process -- with Latino youth in single-parent families, and then encourages one-on-one relationships to develop on their own. According to an evaluation of the national Big Brothers/Big Sisters program conducted between 1992 and 1995, youth who participate are 46 percent less likely to start using illegal drugs and 27 percent less likely to start drinking than nonparticipating youth. Minority participants are 70 percent less likely to start using illegal drugs than their nonparticipating peers. Funded by the United Way, private foundations and individuals, Hermanos y Hermanas Mayores-Washington, D.C. is one of ten Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America programs specifically designed for the Latino population. Since 1904, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America has developed more than 500 local agencies. For more information on Hermanos y Hermanas Mayores, call (301) 587-0021.

After-School Activities Help Kids Succeed. Approximately one-third of all violent juvenile crimes occur between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., when many children are unsupervised. After-school programs can help keep kids out of trouble. In 1991, Myrtle Loughry started The Children's Center in an Anacostia housing project plagued with drug use and crime. Ms. Loughry had no trouble finding youth who could benefit from an after-school safe haven. The Children's Center, now housed at Wilkinson Elementary School, serves 75 children. On weekdays during the school year, the program offers homework assistance, computer education, arts and crafts, organized team sports, and a mid-afternoon snack. The program operates from 3:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Center also works with students' primary teachers to help build individualized education plans. The summer program runs from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and includes field trips, a parent-child project, and camping opportunities. Both programs are free to participants. For several years, the D.C. Public Schools Lunch Program donated lunches for summer program participants through a collaboration with D.C. Hunger Action. The Children's Center is funded primarily by the Bonderman Family Foundation. To learn more, call (202) 610-5443.

Next Section

Programs | Prevention Programs | Criminal Justice Programs
Workplace Programs | Treatment Programs