Key components of drug and alcohol prevention:

1. Education: Prevention education and trainings provide accurate and age-appropriate information about the risks of drug and alcohol use. This also includes teaching youth vital skills in communication, decision-making, emotion management, and resisting peer pressure. Studies show the risk of youth drug and alcohol misuse is lessened when youth understand the effects of substances on the mind and body, as well as the skills to promote healthy decisions and coping strategies.
2. Environmental Approaches: Environmental prevention approaches address the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to substance abuse such as, poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare. This can include community-wide initiatives to reduce the availability and accessibility of drugs and alcohol, as well as policies aimed at promoting safe and supportive environments.
3. Early intervention: Early intervention prevention strategies identify and address risk factors for substance abuse early in life, such as childhood trauma, family dysfunction, and mental health issues. Early intervention programs can help prevention substance abuse before it becomes a chronic problem.
4. Awareness: Prevention efforts raise awareness about the prevalence of substance abuse, its impact on individuals and communities, and the resources available for prevention and treatment.