New approaches to alcohol interventions among American Indian and Latino communities: the experience of the Southwest Addictions Research Group.

This introduction presents a bi-directional approach to developing alcohol interventions for American Indians, Latinos, and rural populations, which recognizes the need to translate knowledge from evidence-based practice to diverse minority communities, as well as to learn from the healing knowledge that emerges from the communities themselves. The overarching paradigm of Community Based Participatory Research is presented which emphasizes addressing health disparities through partnering with communities and building on their strengths. The articles in this volume are an outgrowth of the Southwest Addictions Research Group (SARG), which was founded to promote interventions with these populations through supporting the career development of investigators of color. Articles discuss investigator-piloted interventions and other cultural dimensions which support effective behavioral and preventive services for diverse populations.