Page 28 - Focus on Prevention: Strategies and Programs to Prevent Substance Use
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Don’t Take Anything for The best information may fall short of
Granted: Test and Evaluate your aims unless people understand
and see it as new, interesting,
Even after you have researched your topic and your acceptable, and in line with what
audience, your idea of a moving message or a slick
publication may not go over well with your audience. they already know.
Test Your Materials
Before you invest in the full development of a What Materials Should You Use?
substance use prevention communications product, The materials you use should reflect the type of
make sure you’re on the right track. Use focus groups message you want to deliver; the size, age, education,
or informal methods to get reactions from audience and lifestyle of the audience; your ability and
members and others with special insight regarding creativity; the help you can get; and your budget.
your ideas or drafts of your product. Also consider the length of your prevention effort.
For example, a long-running campaign may warrant
Look at Results a large investment in design and distribution, while a
Once you’ve put a product out there, don’t forget weeklong National Prevention Week event may call for
about evaluation. With a bit of organization, you can materials that can be produced and distributed at a
track distribution, get feedback from the audience, modest cost.
and see what changes have occurred. For more
difficult evaluation activities, don’t give up—get Possible materials include print items such as flyers,
help. Look for technical assistance resources or pull in brochures, and posters; web-based information;
an expert consultant (see Focus On Evaluation). novelty items bearing a logo or message; print, sound,
or video PSAs; class curricula; press releases; talking
points; and sample social media posts and images.
24 Focus On Prevention
