ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COUNCIL FOR SOUTH LOUISIANA
                                                           

 The National Council on Alcoholism estimates that 10% of all Americans, or 18 million people, are
alcohol or drug dependent.  South Louisiana treatment facilities estimate local figures for abuse to
be 5% higher than national figures. This higher percentage is due in part to the prevalence of alcohol
use in the state of Louisiana resulting from local attitudes about alcohol and other drug use.  The
community has traditionally viewed alcohol as a necessary accompaniment to social events.  Heavy
use and even abuse has therefore been normalized.

     Several other demographic factors contribute to a high rate of local substance abuse.  According
to the Census Bureau, in 1990, the State of Louisiana ranked:
1st in number of children in poverty (31.2%)
1st in number of teens not in school or the labor force
2nd in illiteracy
2nd in teen violent death rate
7th in number of residents under age 18

     The Louisiana Department of Corrections estimates that 94% of those incarcerated for a crime,
were under the influence of alcohol / drugs at the time of the crime.

     Louisiana residents under age 18 make up 29.1% of the population.  This is an unusually high
percentage.  Of those, 39.9% do not graduate from high school and 25.8% are unemployed.  Applied
to the Terrebonne Parish population of 96,000, there are 29,400 residents under the age of 18.  If 15%
of these have a drug or alcohol problem, there are 4,410 adolescents so affected.  Statewide in 1990,
there were 26,886 adolescents at serious risk for substance abuse and 9,141 abusers. There are
20,203 Terrebonne Parish residents living below the poverty level.  58% of 4th grade public school
students lacked basic reading proficiency in 1992.  40% of adults 25 years and older do not have a high
school diploma.  This creates even higher risk factors for alcohol and other drug abuse.

     There is, therefore, in this geographic area, a well-documented, high incidence of several of the
factors which figure in alcohol and other drug abuse.  A recent national survey reports drug use among
youth has greatly increased in the nation since 1992.  Substance abuse seems to be a growing problem 
that afflicts each new generation to a greater degree.

A.D.A.C.- Part of the Solution

     The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana (ADAC) was formed by local volunteers in
September 1985.  It's mission is to prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug addiction in the
community, particularly among children, and to provide conflict resolution skills.  ADAC works toward
achieving this goal through education and the teaching of healthy coping skills.

     ADAC's programs are based on the logic impact model whereby:
1) the existing community alcohol / drug, tobacco use and violent behavior is assessed.
2) activities focused on strengthening protective factors and / or decreasing risk factors are planned and
presented.
3) the short-term outcome is measured.
4) as a result, the long-term outcome is expected to be improved.