Prevention Month
October is Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and Substance Misuse Prevention Month.
- Prevention strengthens protective factors and reduces risk factors ― in individuals, families, schools, communities, and across society.
- Prevention science, and decades of community-based experience and scientific research, shows that prevention works.
- We aim to prevent substance use in the first place, prevent the progression of use, and reduce harm. And we have the prevention playbook to do so.
Toolkit
Help spread the good news of prevention!
Post Copy Option #1: During October, we celebrate all the possibilities that prevention brings! Together, we’re partners in prevention. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/prevention-month #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth
Post Copy Option #2: Shout out to the people everywhere who are saving lives through prevention! Together, we’re partners in prevention. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/prevention-month #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth
Alt-text: Group of animated people around a large banner that reads, “Substance Misuse Prevention Month and Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. Partners in Prevention!”
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Post Copy: What is substance misuse prevention? Prevention aims to stop substance misuse before it starts. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/prevention-month #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth
Alt-text: Group of animated people with text that reads, “Prevention promotes health, wellness, and well-being. Substance Misuse Prevention Month. Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.”
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Post Copy: Prevention works by strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors ― enhancing the resilience of individuals, families, schools, communities, and society. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/prevention-month #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth
Alt-text: Text that reads, “Substance Misuse Prevention Month. Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. Prevention...supports healthy social and emotional development, supports parents and strengthens families, expands evidence-based programs in communities and schools, prevents and addresses trauma, addresses social determinants of health, improves the safety, stability, and livability of community environments.”
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Post Copy: #DYK People who start using alcohol or other drugs when they’re young are more likely to develop a substance use disorder later in life? Early prevention is critical. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/prevention-month #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth
Alt-text: Three young girls smiling with their arms around each other’s shoulders with text that reads, “Substance Misuse Prevention Month. Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.”
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Post Copy: Your voice has power. To inspire. To fight stigma. To make a difference. Share your #MyPreventionStory, during #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth! Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/my-prevention-story #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth
Alt-text: Four high school students walking down a school hallway talking and looking at their mobile phones with text that reads, “Substance Misuse Prevention Month. Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. Share your #MyPreventionStory!”
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Get Involved
- “Talk. They Hear You.”® ― This campaign helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage substance use.
- The mobile app shows how to turn everyday situations into opportunities to talk with kids.
- Screen4Success ― This 10-minute online screening tool helps parents and caregivers better understand the health, wellness, and wellbeing of your children — and find resources to address their needs.
- SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day ― Join us for the largest annual national gathering dedicated to substance misuse prevention. Learn what’s new and innovative, at this free event.
- National Prevention Week ― Celebrates the prevention initiatives of communities and organizations across the country. Download an event planning toolkit and post your #MyPreventionStory on social media.
- Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse ― Offers resources (including stipends) to plan local events that prevent substance misuse.
- Voices of Youth ― Welcomes youth and young adults as agents of change.
Learn More
- Blog: Partners in Prevention
- Blog: “Talk. They Hear You.” ® Celebrates 10 Years of Preventing Underage Substance Use
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
- A Proclamation on National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, 2023
Prevention Planning
- Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) (PDF | 3.3 MB) ― also in Spanish
- Focus on Prevention Manual
- Registries of Proven Interventions
- Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center
- Selecting Best-fit Programs and Practices
- Substance Use Prevention Communications Toolkit
Technical Assistance
- Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network ― Provides training and technical assistance to the substance misuse prevention field.
- Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) ― Provides resources (such as webinars) to the prevention field ― as well as training and technical assistance to SAMHSA grantees.