Primary prevention in the early stages of youth development shows promise in combating substance use and overdose through adolescence and into young adulthood.
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently highlighted reporting earlier this week that shows the key preventative strategies to employ with children to combat substance use. These tactics cover the individual level, relationship interactions, and community based initiatives. In particular, normalizing help-seeking behavior as early as possible and throughout adolescence stands out.
Rising rates of mental health challenges and overdoses among youth underscore the need for multi-faceted prevention strategies. Check out our latest brief that explores state strategies for preventing substance use and overdose among youth and adolescents: https://t.co/r1CL08ptPL
— NASHP (@NASHPhealth) June 18, 2024
Individual prevention strategies include:
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Life-skills development
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Strengthening resiliency and self-efficacy
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Exposing youth to positive adult role models
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Treatment for health and behavioral health conditions
Relationship level strategies:
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Healthy relationship skills programs
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Strengthening parent-child relationship and communication programs
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Addressing household challenges that contribute to stress
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Treatment for parental/caregiver substance use, mental health challenges
Community based strategies:
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Supporting community norms about substance use risk, help-seeking behavior
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Access to health care
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Promoting help-seeking behavior
