The development of substance abuse problems arise from the interaction of causes ranging from
those that are individual to those that are societal. These factors may radiate from, or be prevented by, a constellation of forces including the family, the schools, the work place, police and criminal justice sectors, religious influences, health and social welfare policies and programs, the media and others. The literature indicates that uncoordinated, short-term and single-focused approaches to prevention have limited success.
The Partnership is formed around the understanding that no single strategy or approach can possibly address the many factors which contribute to the development of these problems. In order to more completely address these multiple influences. some authors have stressed the importance of integrating multiple services in the community (e.g.. Benard, 1988), Building coordinated prevention efforts that bring together programs or various sectors of the community increases the strategies available, provides multiple points of access, and expands community opportunities.
The partnership approach is a critical mechanism for increasing citizen participation in community-wide ownership of strategies. This ownership is a critical element for implementing community change as a part of an overall drug strategy (Chavis and Florin, 1990, Fawcett, et. al., 1993).
ln 1989, Pentz and colleagues reported a five year evaluation of a multi-community study which included school-based drug education, parent involvement, mass media coverage, public service announcements and community task forces. The results of the study suggest there was a decrease in the use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana by three percent.
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