The Journal of Primary Prevention, Vol. 15, No. 1, 1994
Introduction to the First Issue of the 15th Anniversary V o l u m e of The Journal of Primary Prevention T h o m a s P. Gullotta
With this issue, the 15th year of publication for the Journal of Primary Prevention begins. I have had the privilege for that period of time to have been this Journal's editor. In that role, I have had the opportunity, during the term of President Carter, to share the excitement of many in the mental health community as prevention appeared to be an idea whose time had come. I shared also the disappointment that followed when new Washington administrations pursued other less promising avenues. For fifteen, sometimes very lonely years, this publication has been prevention's voice. Never shy, this publication has been willing to venture into uncharted and oftentimes politically sensitive areas to discuss the causes of dysfunctional behavior in our society. As we celebrate our anniversary, the Washington political policy pendulum appears to swinging again in the direction of wanting to develop effective interventions to reduce dysfunctional behavior in society and promote health. And in this new national political climate, JPP's voice appears to be gaining increased strength. This volume year is a celebration of weathering the storm that has passed and a trumpeting of concern that if we are not vigilant storm clouds certainly will return again. Over the past twelve months, I have been amazed at the speed in which others, never previously associated with prevention's movement and who in past times publicly ridiculed its efforts, are repackaging their interventions in the currently politically correct language of prevention. More attention than ever needs to given to insuring that the report card that surely will be given prevention in the coming years fairly reflects our efforts and not the repackaged failed practices of others.
cO 1994 Human Sciences Press, Inc.
4
Guilotta
In this volume year, invited elders and adolescents (like myself) in this movement will comment on the past, the present, and the future of prevention from a variety of perspectives. These invited papers will be interspersed with JPP's regular offerings. Readers will see that differences of opinion still exist between us, and, as editor of this venerable publication, I continue to celebrate those differences. For it is from these discussions that this publication has attempted to push the envelope of prevention's knowledge, to link fields and disciplines, and be willing to risk where others would have played the safer game. I only hope that the next fifteen years are as exciting, for it appears that we are entering an era when it truly can be said that prevention is an idea whose time is n o w .
Finally, it is difficult to comprehend that so many years have passed in so little time. I cannot let this opportunity pass without acknowledging the vital support and friendship of the editorial board members who founded this publication with me and continue to remain actively involved in its publication. They have helped to insure that this journal remains prevention's voice and that the experimental nature of this journal not be lost. So to George Albee, Martin Bloom, Gerald Caplan, Allan Cohen, Emory Cowen, Steve Danish, Len Duhl, Jim Kelly, Don Klein, Justin Joffe, Robin Room, and Carolyn Swift, I express my heartfelt appreciation for your friendship, your kindness, your constructive criticism, and your hard work on the journal's behalf.
Introduction to the First Issue of the 15th Anniversary V o l u m e of The Journal of Primary Prevention T h o m a s P. Gullotta
With this issue, the 15th year of publication for the Journal of Primary Prevention begins. I have had the privilege for that period of time to have been this Journal's editor. In that role, I have had the opportunity, during the term of President Carter, to share the excitement of many in the mental health community as prevention appeared to be an idea whose time had come. I shared also the disappointment that followed when new Washington administrations pursued other less promising avenues. For fifteen, sometimes very lonely years, this publication has been prevention's voice. Never shy, this publication has been willing to venture into uncharted and oftentimes politically sensitive areas to discuss the causes of dysfunctional behavior in our society. As we celebrate our anniversary, the Washington political policy pendulum appears to swinging again in the direction of wanting to develop effective interventions to reduce dysfunctional behavior in society and promote health. And in this new national political climate, JPP's voice appears to be gaining increased strength. This volume year is a celebration of weathering the storm that has passed and a trumpeting of concern that if we are not vigilant storm clouds certainly will return again. Over the past twelve months, I have been amazed at the speed in which others, never previously associated with prevention's movement and who in past times publicly ridiculed its efforts, are repackaging their interventions in the currently politically correct language of prevention. More attention than ever needs to given to insuring that the report card that surely will be given prevention in the coming years fairly reflects our efforts and not the repackaged failed practices of others.
cO 1994 Human Sciences Press, Inc.
4
Guilotta
In this volume year, invited elders and adolescents (like myself) in this movement will comment on the past, the present, and the future of prevention from a variety of perspectives. These invited papers will be interspersed with JPP's regular offerings. Readers will see that differences of opinion still exist between us, and, as editor of this venerable publication, I continue to celebrate those differences. For it is from these discussions that this publication has attempted to push the envelope of prevention's knowledge, to link fields and disciplines, and be willing to risk where others would have played the safer game. I only hope that the next fifteen years are as exciting, for it appears that we are entering an era when it truly can be said that prevention is an idea whose time is n o w .
Finally, it is difficult to comprehend that so many years have passed in so little time. I cannot let this opportunity pass without acknowledging the vital support and friendship of the editorial board members who founded this publication with me and continue to remain actively involved in its publication. They have helped to insure that this journal remains prevention's voice and that the experimental nature of this journal not be lost. So to George Albee, Martin Bloom, Gerald Caplan, Allan Cohen, Emory Cowen, Steve Danish, Len Duhl, Jim Kelly, Don Klein, Justin Joffe, Robin Room, and Carolyn Swift, I express my heartfelt appreciation for your friendship, your kindness, your constructive criticism, and your hard work on the journal's behalf.
