The public health approach to substance misuse prevention includes strategies that reduce the availability of substances and create healthier and safer environments and communities. Prevention strategies that address root causes of issues like substance misuse can impact many outcomes at once. Strategies that create opportunities for connectedness and engagement and build family and community economic stability significantly reduce substance misuse across the lifespan and can impact many health outcomes.
Connectedness
Reduce how connected people are to accessing substances, including pricing strategies, limiting the number or density of outlets that sell substances, preventing products that specifically appeal to youth, preventing youth exposure to the advertising or promotion of substances, or creating laws that prevent parties where youth access substances.
Change community systems and family supports to better connect youth with caring adults, so youth are more likely to ask for help in tough situations, follow restrictions in place for Graduated Drivers’ License laws, and steer clear of drugs and alcohol.
Economic Stability and Supports
Reduce family and community economic stress by encouraging strategies like paid family leave, expanding access to quality childcare, ensuring food security, and much more.
By addressing these risk and protective factors, we know that youth will be less likely to misuse substances:
Students who reported that their family has clear rules about alcohol and drug use were 53% less likely to use marijuana.
Students who reported that their parents/guardians know where and who they are with when not at home were 58% less likely to binge drink and 49% less likely to vape.
Students who reported that they have an adult to go to with a serious problem were 52% less likely to use prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
Individuals with a history of physical abuse during childhood had a 74% increased risk for drug misuse later in life.
Individuals with a history of sexual abuse during childhood had a 73% increased risk for drug misuse later in life.
Partners in Colorado are coming together to work on these prevention strategies in an effort to reduce substance use for youth and adults, which can impact other public health outcomes and types of violence, such as suicide and sexual violence, motor vehicle injuries, and chronic diseases like certain types of cancer.
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