ABSTRACT
Social program advocates have been aware of this situation for years, trying to figure out how to focus popular attention and political interest on these issues. The United States is rich in programs directed toward changing youth behaviors, offered by schools, youth service organizations, the juvenile justice system, health and mental health agencies, churches, and other institutions. The remarkable fact is that so many different kinds of programs can demonstrate that the provision of individual attention can produce results in terms of behavioral changes. In a model substance-abuse prevention program, a student assistance counselor was available full-time for individual counseling and referral for treatment. Many models of community-wide prevention programs were identified that incorporate a number of different kinds of programs and services. Schools, public and private community agencies, parent groups, media, police, courts, clergy, business, universities, and youth themselves are involved in various configurations and collaborative arrangements that put together several components.
