A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS MALE ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG-ABUSERS

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in consultatio n with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, awarded nine demonstratio n grants in 1988 for community-based programs addressing issues of the homeless alcohol and other drug (AOD) abusers. Project Connect in Lou isville, Kentucky, was one of the nine demonstration grants. The three -year project was designed to address a multitude of needs of the home less male AOD abuser, including housing, medical, employment/economic, and social support, in addition to treatment for AOD abuse. The prese nt article details the evolution and implementation of Project Connect and describes characteristics of the target population. In addition, the article presents issues and problems that surfaced during program implementation in order to assist other communities that are consideri ng similar programs for their homeless populations.