Page 21 - Focus on Prevention: Strategies and Programs to Prevent Substance Use

FOCUS Issues and Audiences

ON

Care in choosing a specific prevention issue and
a target audience is key to establishing a winning
substance use prevention strategy.
Alarm about drug use may center on certain
substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine,
nonmedical use of painkillers, or inhalants. Alcohol-
related problems may involve underage and binge
drinking, alcohol-related car crashes, or conditions that
affect alcohol availability. Tobacco issues may have
to do with advertising, sales to minors, or smoking in
public places. Once you set your sights on a specific
issue or set of issues, bringing the picture into focus
requires you to ask “who” and “where.”

Whose Substance Use Are You Trying to
Prevent? Targeting Risks
Setting your sights on a substance use issue that
relates to teens or young adults is a start, but your
strategy may work better by focusing on certain One way to define prevention audiences is to cluster
groups within these populations. Will you address all them according to three levels of risk for using
teens or concentrate on young adolescents? Will you substances:
use different approaches with girls and boys? Will 1. General population groups with no known risks
a strategy for young adults be aimed at all of them, of substance use. Exposes a broad audience to
or should it target club-goers, college students, or prevention strategies that could make
fraternity members? substance use less likely, such as all youth in
high school.
Who Can Help Influence Your Main Audience? 2. Groups with recognized risks of substance use.
While your goal may be to prevent substance use Offers an opportunity to focus on those who
among teens, you may direct your attention to parents, may have a greater than average need for
educators, or service providers to help tackle the issues prevention activities, such as the 9th and 10th
that make young people more or less likely to engage grades transitioning into high school.
in risky behaviors. Alcohol- and tobacco-related
problems may be addressed through policies set by 3. Individuals known to be at high risk of substance
elected officials and adopted by sellers. use. Allows communities to address those
with the most serious problems and specific
needs, such as 9th- and 10th-grade students
Care in choosing a specific prevention transitioning into high school who are from
low-income families and/or have a history of
issue and a target audience is key to mental and physical abuse.

establishing a winning substance
use prevention strategy.

Focus On Prevention 17