Prevention Strategies

Provide information about substance abuse and its consequences to raise awareness and educate the community​ through:

• ​Presentations,  
• Workshops  
• Brochures 
• Billboards  
• Social norms campaigns 
• Town hall meetings   
• Public Information Campaigns

Equip community members (including parents and youth) with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy behaviors through:

• Skills based workshops
• Seminars 
• Hands on experiences to build skills 

Facilitating opportunities for individuals to engage in activities or strategies that decrease risk factors or bolster protective measures through:

• Programs 
• Small Group Activities
• Recreation Activities 

Implement policies and practices to reduce access to substances, especially among youth, through:

• Instructions/training in multiple languages 
• Safe Medication Disposal Programs
• Provide training at vendor locations   
• Enhance law enforcement operations for dealing with MIP  
• Place pseudoephedrine behind the counter

Changing the likelihood of a certain behavior that either reduces risk or boosts protection for youth substance use by modifying the outcomes associated with that behavior. :

• Provide awards to businesses who pass Compliance Checks
•  Public Recognition (as part of a overall effort) 

 Disincentives:  

• Increase Citations/Fines
• Increase Excise Taxes  
• Use/Lose Laws
• Mandatory Education 

Modify the physical environment to reduce opportunities for substance abuse and promote healthy behaviors through:

• ​Lighting in parks  
• Signage 
• Alcohol Outlet Density/Proximity  
• Advertising (Restrictions)
• Product Placement 
• Packaging enhancements 

Advocate for changes in policies and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels to support substance abuse prevention efforts and promote public health. 

Examples include: 

Laws: 

• Social Host Liability, 
• Keg Registration 

Policies: 

• 24/7 Zero Tolerance policy in a school district, 
• Drug Free Workplace Policies, 
• Mandatory Merchant Education 

 By-Laws: 

• Organizations/ community organizers evaluate and lower their use of alcohol in collaboration & networking