ABSTRACT
The following is a case study of Surviving In Recovery (SIR), a substance abuse prevention and treatment community-based organization that operates in South Central Los Angeles. As such, this chapter will focus less on the theoretical basis of SIR’s work and more on the reality of dealing with substance abuse (SA) within one of the most multicultural communities in the United States. Founded in 1992, SIR develops methods of prevention and intervention in response to SA and HIV/AIDS. In order to effectively prevent the spread of SA, SIR focuses mainly on the youth of the community, through both school-based interventions and peer counseling sessions. A focus on families has branched these main programs out into parent education and training sessions, as well. The main goals of the organization are:
implementing programs through culturally specific, peer-based approaches;
educating community individuals to become aware of the negative environmental influences within their neighborhoods (i.e., over-concentration of liquor stores and cigarette billboards);
262empowering people in SA recovery and those infected with HIV/AIDS through personal education and giving them the opportunity to personally educate the community;
designing effective, culturally specific intervention and prevention programs within the schools;
establishing a system of effective treatment that involves a person’s circle of support, particularly family members, friends, and significant others; and
developing an effective model to intervene and educate youth and their parents.
