Readiness for drug use prevention in rural minority communities

An assessment of community readiness for drug use prevention in rural commu nities indicated that most rural communities are at relatively low stages o f readiness. Minority communities were particularly low in readiness, with only 2% having functioning drug prevention programs. Rural communities at d ifferent levels of readiness require different types of programs to increas e readiness, i.e., communities at the no awareness stage require analysis o f the historical and cultural issues that support tolerance of drug use, th ose at the denial and vague awareness stages need specific information abou t local problems, and communities at the preplanning and preparation stages need information about effective programs, help in identifying resources, and assistance with staff training. In addition, building and maintaining e ffective programs requires continued evolution of readiness through the sta ges of initiation, stabilization, confirmation and expansion, and professio nalization. Revised and updated scales and methods for assessing community readiness are provided.