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Substance Misuse Prevention
Sustaining effective, data-driven approaches for individuals and communities
Together, we can prevent substance misuse.
It is possible to reduce the impact of opioid and other substance misuse on individuals, families, and communities. To do so, we must understand that substance misuse, early childhood trauma, suicide, and addiction are all interconnected, and that effective programs are multidimensional.
EDC builds the capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance misuse prevention workforce through innovative learning opportunities. We help communities weave substance misuse prevention into home visiting programs, after-school settings, and health systems, and we develop trainings that reflect urgent and emergent trends in substance misuse across the lifespan. Our programs are informed by prevention and implementation science, as well as by the multidisciplinary perspectives and cultural competencies of our staff.
Visit Prevention Solutions@EDC or read "Building a Road to Resilience" to learn more about EDC's work to prevent substance misuse.
Related Content
Substance Misuse and Equity: Are We Asking the Right Questions?
Effective prevention starts with asking questions. But which questions we ask, and how we ask them, often reflect biases that we don’t know we have…
EDC Talks: Vendors Can Prevent Marijuana Use
Marijuana is being legalized in states across the country. How can we stop young people from misusing it? Gisela Rots explains.
Behavioral Health: 4 Ways to Build Programs That Work
Proactive health and wellness programs lay the foundation for healthy, stronger communities. Four EDC experts weigh in.
Preventing Problem Gambling in Massachusetts
Who is most at risk for problem gambling, and how can communities and casinos work together on prevention? Rebecca Bishop shares insights.
EDC Tapped to Help Combat Substance Misuse in Indianapolis Schools
Taking a comprehensive approach early in school has the potential to prevent substance use in later grades and beyond, says Chuck Klevgaard.
Want to Improve Public Health? Address Systemic Racism
Policy changes are key to addressing racial disparities in public health, including substance misuse. Learn more in this roundtable discussion.
Why Should We Engage Faith Leaders in Prevention?
Faith-based organizations have a powerful role to play in substance misuse prevention, says Ben Spooner.
Empowering Kentucky’s Substance Misuse Prevention Workforce
How can we help communities understand the pillars of effective prevention? Explore stories about the work of Prevention Solutions@EDC.
EDC Talks: How to Address Problem Gambling?
For some people, gambling can create a dependence that affects their health, wellness, and relationships, says Rebecca Bishop.
Projects
Resources
Here are a few of our resources on substance abuse prevention. To see more, visit our Resources section.
Toolkits
The Center for Strategic Prevention Support (CSPS) at EDC developed this interactive communications toolkit to help substance abuse prevention practitioners create clear, accurate messages that wou
Resource libraries
This searchable database offers resources and materials selected and reviewed by the staff of the CSPS.
Toolkits
This online toolkit provides specific guidance for applying SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework to the prevention of opioid misuse and overdoses.
Resource libraries
This resource library contains reports, analyses, surveys, and fact sheets developed as part of EDC’s administration of the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey from 2006 to 2014.
Toolkits
This toolkit showcases some of the exciting ways prevention professionals are collaborating across communities and behavioral health fields to prevent substance use and misuse and promote overall health and wellness in their communities.
Resource libraries
This website offers a range of print and online resources developed by EDC to prevent substance misuse and related behavioral health problems.