NCJ Number
173197
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The role of private corporations in juvenile drug prevention is examined, with emphasis on the nature and benefits of corporate involvement and examples of corporate and local business sponsorship of prevention programs both inside and outside workplaces.
Abstract
Corporate social responsibility includes charitable contributions, self-regulation, affirmative action, social service leaves and release times to support employee volunteer activities, and donations of in-kind services and company products to community programs. Motivations include the promotion of good community relations, the development of a better work force, and general community improvement. Benefits to the public sector from private-sector participation in prevention include resources, leadership, and organizational skills. Major categories of support include curricula such as JC Penney's STEP Program for Parent Training and Awareness, school-based student activities such as America's Pride sponsored by Coca Cola, and media and public awareness activities such as the national campaigns of the Advertising Council. Corporations also sponsor community-based activities such as Project Hometown America, which was established by American Express. Many corporations use work-site prevention strategies, including information and awareness, health promotion, stress reduction, seminars, and organizational approaches. Personnel policies regarding child care and flexible house, on-site facilities for health promotion, and worker and family involvement in off-site community activities are other forms of corporate involvement. These examples demonstrate corporations' willingness to support varied prevention activities; more of the same kinds of efforts are needed.