The profession of social work has had a long and distinguished history of working with social problems, only recently has it begun to provide training in the area of substance abuse. Although the number of African-American and Hispanic social work researchers has increased slightly, there is still not adequate representation. Many social work programs do not provide training on conducting epidemiological drug abuse research with the African-American and Hispanic populations. This training has primarily focused on prevention and treatment of substance abuse problems. As a result, social work researchers, with some exceptions, have not had sufficient training to play an active role in initiating epidemiological substance abuse research. Social workers are uniquely qualified to make a significant contribution to our understanding of substance abuse in minority populations, especially with regard to the study of the effect of community-based variables on the drug behaviors of African-American and Hispanic populations. The NIDA Minority Research Center at Boston University School of Social Work seeks to increase the pool of social work researchers which undertakes substance abuse research in urban communities of color. Two summer institutes are completed with possibly five more summers planned. The institutes occur every summer for social work doctoral students and faculty, helping professionals develop epidemiological drug abuse projects in communities of color. Current research projects include, the study of drug dealing in Puerto Rican and Dominican male gangs in Lawrence, Massachusetts and the intergenerational transmission of drug use between African-American mothers and daughters in the greater Boston area.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1) recognize the disparity and necessity of social workers engaging in substance abuse research within communities of color 2) apply the information available from the resource center to current or future research which includes substance abuse and communities of color 3) have the opportunity to apply for the following summer research institutes allowing participants the chance to further their knowledge in a more concentrated and focused setting 4) identify two current projects focusing on substance abuse in communities of color
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Minority Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: NIDA Minority Research Center at Boston University School of Social Work
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: grant