Youth Community Survey Uncovers Perceived Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs in the Black Community
Empowerment Zone Coalition Inc (EZC) is a community coalition that comprises a cross section of the community designed to make a difference in the Empowerment Zone section of the city of Detroit. EZC membership comprises community leaders, businesses, Police officers, grassroots organizations, health and substance abuse providers, youth, churches and others with interest in ridding the community of substance abuse. The method of achieving change is by prevention. EZC seeks to change the culture of chemical dependency and substance abuse by defining the social norm in the Empowerment Zone community and making drug free lifestyle socially acceptable especially among youth. This presentation briefly summarizes the findings of the Youth Substance Abuse Concerns Survey conducted by the Empowerment Zone Coalition as part of their annual assessment of the status of substance use and abuse in the city of Detroit. The purpose of the survey is to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the needs and concerns of the youth relative to the issue of chemical use and abuse. This survey is unique in that the data collection was done as part of the door-to-door data collection activities conducted by youth members of the Empowerment Zone Coalition in the catchment area of the Empowerment zone. The survey consists of five parts namely Drug knowledge appraisal, Drug Use appraisal, Attitude towards Drug Use, Significant other factor affecting drug appraisal, and demographical characteristics of participating youth. A total of 728 young people completed the Youth Substance Abuse Concerns Survey. Significant findings of this survey include the following: 1. That youth participants are drug-smart as indicated by their drug knowledge score 2. That there remains a significant void in paternal participation in the life of the youth 3. That while alcohol is more commonly used, marijuana and cigarettes are more habitually abused among the youth 4. That the prevailing environment in the African American community is perceived to be inundated with drug-promoting messages, drug use and drugs. 5. That youth believe that enabling adults are always available to assist in the procurement of drugs for minors. 6. That there is a significant belief in the conspiracy theory among black youth that drug is introduced into the black community to control blacks. 7. That this perception predisposes the black youth to being disenfranchised, a major source in the onset of many negative behaviors.