In an attempt to improve program accountability to the service consuming community, researchers in a drug abuse program employed the perspective of three paraprofessional street workers to define functioning after treatment in an out-patient drug abuse program. The paraprofessional workers were residents of the catchment area in which the study took place. They were hired in conformity with affirmative action personnel policies implemented by a personnel committee staffed by community representatives. They were nominated for their jobs as street workers because of their familiarity with the local illegal drug market.