An African-Centered Model of Prevention

for African-American Youth at High Risk

by
Wade W. Nobles and Lawford L. Goddard

There is an African proverb that states, "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." It is the expectation that an African-centered model of prevention would help to create and guide the programs, activities, and practices that would enable African-American people to "tie up the lion" of alcohol and other drugs in the community.

In the process of restoration of order in the African-American community, there are several critical components of an African-centered model of prevention for the family that need to be implemented.

• Establish African-centered theories of human development and transformation;

• Develop culturally consistent intervention, prevention, and treatment methods;

• Create African-based development and training programs in response to the concrete conditions affecting the viability of African peoples;

• Create contemporary examples of traditional African-American techniques of child development without violating the traditional cultural core; and

• Develop methods and processes designed to force societal institutions to respect, reflect, and incorporate the cultural integrity and expressions of African peoples.        next page