Never in history have more groups come together to address substance use disorders treatment and recovery in African American Communities like we are seeing today. This mobilization could be inspired by the Black Lives Matter Movement and the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis, MN. police officer. Communities are now motivated to address addiction in Black Communities comprised of individuals in recovery, allies, Ph.D.’s, MD's, researchers, university educators, frontline clinicians, writers etc. In essence, because of this commitment and talent pool we are in position to do a work which can have a lasting impact as it pertains to treatment and recovery in Black Communities. A review of the past 60 years suggests that this great impact should not automatically be assumed. History reveals that each decade a crisis occurs, the community responds, and when the crisis decreases in intensity the work stops. Usually with no blueprint for the next generation to follow to continue the work beyond the crisis. Here are some examples.
1960's Heroin crisis in Black Communities. Groups such as The Black Panthers and Nation of Islam called addiction a form of genocide in the Black Community and advocated nonuse as a form of protest.
1970's Alcoholism seen as a major problem throughout the country. A profession was born to certify addictions professionals nationwide. The National Black Alcoholism Council (NBAC) was formed to help African Americans to become certified addictions professionals and to advocate for Black people with alcoholism.
1980's, 90's, 2000's Peter Bell begins writing on Counseling The Black Alcoholic. The Crack Cocaine crisis occurred. Len Bias died snorting cocaine; congress intensified President Nixon's War on Drugs. African American men became the most imprisoned group on planet earth and thousands of African American women had their new born and older children taken away because of the stigma of addiction. Advocacy started occurring across the country, second chance legislation was passed. Black churches across all denominations formed church based drug ministries in response to the crisis. An incredible movement which fell apart primarily because of denominational differences. Recovery homes owned by African Americans were opened throughout the country. Visionary leaders such as Joe Powell, Andre Johnson, Anita Bradley, Dora Wright were a part of the RCSP and RCO movement.
Today Comprehensively, a group of talented professionals have come together to address substance use disorders in African American Communities. While the groups today represent, in my opinion the most talented group ever assembled to address the issue, there are several things that are important to help assure a lasting impact. These are suggestions for us to consider.
Always prepare the next generation to continue the work. In the before mentioned movements the leaders died or the crisis subsided and the movement stopped. This pattern can also be seen in our civil rights movements. Death and retirement can halt movements for years.
We should put as much of the work as possible in writing which leaves a blueprint for the next generation.
As soon as we are ready, come together as organizations to assure comprehensive planning. Our history reveals that fractions within ranks usually stop our movements. We can apply what we have learned from civil rights and other movements to this work.
Create a 20 year vision. Thinking about and planning for the future and what it will take to get there can help propel us to have a lasting impact.