Community Action. Nā, Trina Baggett.
A Community Action Approach
To reduce harms from alcohol and other drugs, CAYAD uses a community action approach to engage communities in addressing the conditions and environments in which young people live that increase the risk of their harmful use of alcohol and other drugs. This includes addressing local and other policies and practices, supporting community action to reduce supply of alcohol and other drugs, and facilitating community and system level changes that expand positive opportunities for young people.
Evidence on reducing harm from both alcohol and other drugs highlights the importance of multi-component strategies and utilising a community action approach. There is good evidence to support effectiveness of community action on alcohol (Babor et al 2010).
There is also emerging evidence on community action on illegal drugs. A recent international review found that broad based, theory-driven community-based programmes can delay initiation of both alcohol and drug use by young people, as well as having wider positive effects beyond drug and alcohol use. citation 1
While there is limited research on community action on illicit drugs, key authors in the field assert that the findings from research on community action on alcohol and tobacco can be applied to other drugs. citation 2
Community Action
In developing strategies and activities for community action it is vital that all CAYAD staff are familiar with a community action approach. In addition, planning must ensure that CAYAD projects:
§ target systemic change – in policies, environments, structures, systems and/or practices
§ are sustained over time
§ have a specific focus (e.g. on alcohol and other drugs)
§ draw on evidence – combining research, cultural evidence and local evidence from communities
§ are well coordinated, including outcomes plans, action-reflection and evaluation
§ are collaborative – involving selected strategic partners across multiple levels and sectors.
Key Elements of Effective Community Action
§ Engages selected organisations and stakeholders who work together on the issue/project
§ Emphasis is on changing underlying organisational policies, practices, social norms
§ Focus on changing structures and systems means that change can be sustained without on-going effort by stakeholders
§ Is guided by and largely limited to activities/ strategies based on research evidence, local and cultural knowledge
§ Implementation is based on “best practice” but allows for innovation
§ Specific measurable research based outcomes
§ May focus on a geographic community or ‘communities of interest’
§ Encourages engagement in political processes so issue is on policy agenda
§ Focus is on specific issue (e.g. illicit drugs) and problem often defined by government department/ funder
§ A paid co-ordinator specific to the project is important to sustainability and effectiveness
§ A plan of action with short and long term outcomes formally monitored and evaluated
§ On-going research evidence contributed to the project e.g. action research/ formative evaluation
A multi-component approach is needed to reduce drug related harm to young people.
A focus on only one or two areas of activity (e.g. sport or youth development) does not constitute effective community action. citation 3
The range of strategies used for effective community action includes:
Building effective partnerships amongst selected key stakeholders to ensure sustainability of CAYAD supported strategies
Supporting community participation in local Council alcohol plans
Supporting communities to make submissions on national alcohol and other drug policy
Supporting local communities to develop effective alcohol and other drug policies and practice – e.g. sports clubs, marae, schools, workplaces etc.;
Advocating for community-based policies and initiatives that promote belonging/connecting opportunities for young people
Encouraging development of appropriate support systems and youth development initiatives for Maori and non-Maori youth
Raising awareness of the need for school and community based early intervention for young people experiencing alcohol or other drug related harm
Fostering inter-sectoral approaches involving health, education, police and social services to reduce youth alcohol and drug-related harm and manage incidents
Mobilising resources so that communities and whanau are supported to facilitate their own learning, discovery and action based responses.
Publicising of positive achievements by local communities, including young people
Organising mass media coverage of community strategies to reduce drug related harm and promote the wellbeing of young people
Advocating with education and industry stakeholders for increased, relevant employment and training opportunities for young people
Supporting communities who choose to explore economic development opportunities
Advocating for diversion and community sentencing programmes for young people involved in illicit drug offences.
➡️ Next: Important information on alcohol and other drugs and CAYAD project work.