Structural impediments in the development of a community-based drug prevention program for youth: preliminary analysis from a qualitative formative evaluation study.

In response to community pressure to "do something" about increased drug related problems, a consortium was formed to refocus existing community services towards at-risk youth with special needs and few resources. Using a lead agency approach, ethnically matched case counselors allocated services which included jobs, tutoring, recreation, mentors, family workshops, and drug counselling. The lead agency and case counselors worked in parallel with the newly formed consortium of service providers to reshape and customize services as client needs become clarified. This article reports on the initial six months of this program's implementation, focusing on the problems which arose due to the structural relations amongst the service providers, lead agency and case counselors. The beneficial role of the formative evaluation process itself-in highlighting these problems as they surfaced-is also discussed.