BACKGROUND: The community advisory board (CAB) of the Urban Research Center (URC) in Harlem, comprised of Harlem community members, community service providers, department of health workers, and academics, identified increasing social support for drug users as a priority for action. The rationale is based on research that shows that increased social support leads to positive health outcomes. The CAB initiated the development of a 'survival' guide to provide informational support for drug users to decrease drug and sexual risk behavior and to improve knowledge necessary to access community services like drug treatment. METHODS: A CAB subcommittee worked with focus groups to determine the content and "look" for the guide. RESULTS: The guide should include three sections. The first section should include health education information including safe injection practices and HIV, hepatitis B/C, and tuberculosis prevention. The second section should include a reference list of community services, including drug treatment and needle exchange programs, housing, and job placement services. The third section should include relevant "hotline" numbers. A "street" look with graffiti and mature cartoons was suggested by users. DISCUSSION: A randomized, controlled study will be done to determine the effectiveness of this collaboratively-developed guide by measuring drug and sexual behaviors and knowledge about and access of community services.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss community-based needs assessments. 2. Discuss steps in development of a survival guide based on focus group insights
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Community Collaboration
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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