Effective Prevention Strategies

What works in substance abuse prevention? There are seven key strategies that are supported by research that shows that they can be effective. Over a 25-year history of substance abuse prevention, some efforts have paid off and others have not. Researchers have now made great strides in identifying effective programs, strategies, and principles that focus on preventing and reducing substance abuse and related risky behaviors. For the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Gardner and Brounstein have identified some key principles of effective substance abuse prevention. From these, CSAP's Northeast CAPT has specified the following seven effective prevention approaches:

Prevention: What's Science Got to Do with It? —(Webpage, Acrobat 24 pages)
A digest that provides information on all seven of the prevention strategies.

· Policy
· Enforcement
· Collaboration
· Communications
· Education
· Early Intervention
· Alternatives

Using multiple strategies in multiple settings, working toward a few common goals, offers the best chance to prevent young people from using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.