Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Substance Abuse
Part 1: The Population and the Problem

Part 2: Prevention and Treatment Efforts

Two, 3 hour courses that provides information about the deaf and hard of hearing population. Part 1 of the course will focus on identification of the population and an examination of the problems that deaf and hard of hearing individuals suffer in relationship to drinking and drug using behaviors. Part 2 will examine prevention and treatment issues and provide thoughts and discussion from the instructor on efforts that need to be made to treat this population.   

Goals/Objectives

By participating in  Part 1 of this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

  1. Learn more about the deaf and hard of hearing population;
  2. Identify relevant characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing individuals;
  3. Examine the impact of alcohol on the deaf and hard of hearing community;
  4. Examine the impact of other drug abuse on the deaf and hard of hearing community.

By participating in  Part 2 of this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

  1. Review programs for deaf substance abusers that have been described in the literature or described for the writer, at his request, for this course;
  2. Review a discussion that ties together all the various threads into one coherent whole;
  3. Examine implications of certain viewpoints which have been developed in answer to several pre-eminent and salient questions about deafness;
  4. Explore the ramifications of present trends toward prevention and treatment of substance abuse among the deaf;
  5. List proposed and/or projected developments in the field;
  6. Summarize various conclusions and recommendations for future research and practice to help prevent substance abuse among deaf people and to help deaf substance abusers overcome their disabilities and lead normal, productive lives.
Your Course Instructor:
Frank James John Lala
Ph.D.

Conquering tremendous odds and obstacles personally, Dr. Frank Lala's compelling compassion in life began to take shape during his years at California School for the Deaf in Riverside. He wanted to counsel the deaf community in overcoming their formidable obstacles they faced on a daily basis. He worked diligently to educate and learn about the many social, physical and mental problems they encountered - paralleling the same roadblocks in his own life. Today he continues to be involved in achieving greater inroads so that the deaf community can live a more productive and fulfilled life. As a key speaker he lectures on substance abuse and has authored many publications in the field of deafness, a poem "A Credo for Deaf Americans" along with his recent book, "Counseling the Deaf Substance Abuser". Other career highlights/professional affilitations include: CSDR's Guest Speaker for 1994's Graduation Class; CEO of Midas Management Co; President and Founder of American Martial Arts Association of the Deaf, General Secretary of International Martial Arts Federation o:f the Deaf, holding Black Belts in Karate and Jujitsu while earning an award in 1993 as the Karate Athlete of the Year; President of Midas Investment Club, As a Chemical Dependency Specialist, Frank was an instrument in founding a recovery program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alcohol and Drug Abusers in southern California. tn recognition of his many contributions previous awards are: CSDRAA's Alumnus; Second Alumnus with a Ph.D., Dissertation Advisors... Dr. Harlan Lane and Dr. Betty G. Miller; Trustee Alumni Award from Western Maryland College; National Rehabilitation Association's "Bell Greve Memorial Award"; American Police Hall of Fame's "Distinguished Service Award"; International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association, "In Recognition of Outstanding Accomplishment in the Field of Narcotic Law Enforcement"; and various other honors from the Mayor of the city of Torrance, and the California Legislative Assembly. He was also commissioned as "Kentucky Colonel" by Kentucky Governor, Brereton C. Jones. Frank Lala holds a B.S. Community Health Education; M.Ed. Deaf Education; Ph.D. Health and Human Services (Public Health); and Certification in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling from University of California, Los Angeles. He resides in Torrance, California.