Homelessness
The Haworth Press,
Price: $24,95.

and Drinking:

A Study of a Street Population,

Inc, New York, 1991, 150 pp,

ISBN:

Bernard Segal,
(hIb).

1-56024-210-8

Book Reviews

111

(1991:82)

acknowledges

"...one of the major problems involved in
Segal
studying homelessness and drinking is that of causal relationship" . Other factors
affordability and peer pressure also influence
such as accessibility
the causal

and availability,

that

relationship
The book by Segal

very significantly.
is based on a thorough longitudinal

of complementary

such as observation

data gathering techniques

to the situation and requirements

The drinking behaviour
sociological
instruments

of the street people was also monitored
and other pertinent variables.
and data gathering strategies consonant

study which provides
a comprehensive
account of a street population or homeless drinking population
in Anchorage, Alaska. The study was carried out over one year and it employed
and
a number
interviews.
in
In carrying out
relation to demographic,
the study Segal adopts
and
of different ethnic groups. Without
sensitive
to point
going into a lot of detail on Segal's
to be effective
out
to the
or subjects,
circumstances
of
and also accepting and valuing the ability of the
purpose
subjects of be involved in the change or treatment process.
Such a methodology
that research is not just aimed at •data mining' but at the full participation
shows
of the subjects. The research by Segal
some
of the problems
in the treatment of alcohol users which include reluc-
tance on the part of the alcoholics

of the participants
in terms of intervention

is action oriented and it also exposes

it reflects a seriousness

it has to be responsive

research methodology

and recidivism.

it is important

and sensitive

for research

encountered

so that

that

and also homelessness

Segal's book comprises of six chapters.

he grapples with issues of methodology.
the results and discussion

review of homelesness
chapter
present
addressed
ommendations

in the fifth chapter;
for intervention

in Anchorage

In the first chapter Segal gives a brief
and in the second
The third and fourth chapters
of [mdings, while intervention and treatment are
looks at some rec-

lastly in the sixth chapter Segal
and treatment.

Segal observes

to adopt an integrated
clients do not manipulate
of services. Agencies
a situation and this can defeat
users.

that it is important

approach

in the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers
and for the agencies involved to cooperate so that
the agencies and also to ensure that there is no duplication
for clients can take advantage of such
drug and alcohol

the intended goal of rehabilitating

should not compete,

Segal has carried out research

and
alcoholism - findings of which can be generalised to both developed and develop-
ing countries.
the need to view housing just like any other social

on very topical problems

The study reflects

- homelessness

Book Reviews

112
service. Homelesness creates cultures of drinking and the impact of alcohol abuse
to the addict, to society, family, the economy and employment
is too severe for
society to ignore. Segal's study highlights and reinforces the need to come up with
effective and appropriate intervention strategies in preventing the occurrence or
onset of the drinking problem and also rehabilitating the alcoholics. On the basis
of available statistics on alcohol abuse internationally and its impact on society,
alcoholism should be viewed as a scourge of our time and Segal's book has come
at the right time, that is before the problem gets even more out of control.

The book is invaluable to professionals, both academic and practitioners
concerned with social problems consequent from homelessness and alcoholism.
Social workers, sociologists, health professionals and practitioners should find this
book very handy in their endeavours to come to the root and solution of drug and
alcohol abuse.

Reviewed by JothamDhemba. Staff Development Fellow. School ojSocial Work.
Harare.

Social Change and Economic Reform in Africa, Peter Gibbon (ed) Nordiska
Afrikainstitutet, Uppsala, Sweden, 1993, ISBN: 91-7106-331-5. No price listed.

The phenomenon of economic reforms is cmcial in Africa because the reforms are
aimed at stabilising the economy in developing counties in general. This book is
a documentation of facts and arguments brought up by some of the Africa-based
authors. Their discussion on economic reforms, popularly referred to as Structural
Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) were based on studies that they carried out in
Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The book clearly portrays the relation-
ship of the effects of SAP to issues of employment, education, health, poverty and
the general standard of living of people in the aforesaid countries. Itis important
to mention, and for the reader to note, that almost all the authors examined the
general overview of the economy in pre- and post-colonial eras and have reported
that "economic activities have remained depressed" as a result of SAP. The initial
intentions of implementing the reforms were genuine and were intended to increase
and improve employment opportunities and the level of production, as well as to
"alleviate transitional social hardships".

The countries of concern in this book adopted the International Monetary Fund
(IMP) and WorId Bank sponsored adjustment programmes in an effort to achieve
high economic growth. Unfortunately conditions began to decline and this became
evident as a result of falling per capita state expenditure, deteriorating social