Working with communities: a feature of multi-component programmes to tackle alcohol and drug-related harm

This paper describes a »multi-component« approach to providing a local response to alcohol and drug-related harm and highlights the role of community »mobilisation« as an important component of such programmes. Conceptual difficulties in defining »community« are recognised and the importance of understanding the heterogeneous nature of communities is discussed. Working with communities is seen as presenting a number of challenges, not least the challenge of addressing the balance of power between professional groups and citizens and the need to take account of potentially conflicting interests between different social groups in the community. Linked to issues of re-distribution of power, are questions of risk - to individuals and to the community as a whole, the danger of unwanted effects of intervention and the possible disruption of existing structures, networks and alliances within the community. The paper provides some examples of multi-component programmes and examples of different ways of interacting with communities to foster their collaboration in intervention programmes.