Journal of Primary Prevention, 6(3), Spring, 1986

Do A d v o c a t e s of P r i m a r y P r e v e n t i o n N e e d a National Organization? THOMAS P. GULLOTTA

Several years ago, this publication was started by an organization called the National Association of Prevention Professionals. They were a group of well-meaning individuals, mostly drawn from alcohol and drug, delinquency, and youth-serving agencies, who tried but failed to build a national organization to promote prevention. This organization's failure can be traced to several causes, not the least of which was the inability to attract the research and academic community to its membership rolls. I bring this topic up because in recent months I have received several letters from individuals anxious to join an organization dedicated to promoting primary prevention. The idea of a national organization was a good one several years ago, and, I believe, it remains a good one today. The benefits are obvious. A national organization could encourage the networking that should be but is not occurring among fields and disciplines. It could provide a strong national voice in favor of promoting emotional health and reducing emotional distress. On the other hand, the hurdles to forming such an organization are enormous. Even if a group of individuals were able to convince prevention's advocates to shed their disciplinary cloaks, there would still remain huge arbitrarily defined distances between groups of individuals who define themselves by their field of interest (i.e., the researcher, the practitioner, the youth worker, the family life educator, etc.). Nevertheless, I think careful thought needs to be directed again toward whether such an organization is needed.* I am anxious to hear from our readership on this issue. I would en*My favorite title for such a n organization would be "The Society for the Advancement of Research and Practice in P r i m a r y Prevention". 139

©1986 Human Sciences Press

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Journal of Primary Prevention

courage you to be creative, and to keep your comments to one doublespaced typewritten sheet. Later this year, the Journal will publish several of these comments in the Journal's "Viewpoint" section. Who knows, m a y b e t h e time is r i g h t . . , certainly the cause is right.

A n n o u n c e m e n t of a Special Issue of the J o u r n a l of P r i m a r y P r e v e n t i o n Primary Prevention and Women: Effective Solutions for Persistent Concerns The Fall 1987 issue of the Journal of Primary Prevention will focus on the unique concerns women face in contemporary American society, problems as basic as unwanted teenage pregnancy, status-related stress and depression, and the feminization of poverty. But this special issue will also address the potentials and strengths of women, such as their sensitivity and concern for human beings, h u m a n rights, and human survival; their creative potential; and their new-found power in support groups for all ages. Manuscripts on these and other topics are solicited that present effective solutions to the persistent problems and potentials of women. All types of papers will be considered, but empirical studies of wellconceptualized projects are particularly encouraged. All submissions should be prepared to the 1983 APA Style Manual specifications and should be between 12 and 15 pages in length. Editors for this special issue are Sheila Akabas (Columbia University), Martin Bloom (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Kristine Siefert (University of Michigan). Manuscripts in triplicate should be sent to: Martin Bloom School of Social Work Box 2027 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Va. 23284-0001

Do advocates of primary prevention need a national organization?

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