Underage Substance Use Prevention

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Evidence-Based Treatments May Be Casualties of War on Drugs

U.S. schools and community organizations face a difficult battle to keep kids safe and drug-free. They need tools to help them choose programs that will work best for youth. The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices is such a tool, but its future is uncertain.

Matthew Chinman, Joie D. Acosta

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Anti-Drug Education: Time for a New Bumper Sticker

Effective drug prevention in America could start by helping school districts adopt programs that work. These evidence-based programs can teach children to make wise and responsible decisions about drugs, and they won't break the bank.

Matthew Chinman

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Making Prevention a Priority

A bill legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes in Vermont has a strong possibility of passing. Lawmakers and communities should focus on putting in place drug prevention programs aimed at young people, considering that their marijuana use is higher in Vermont than the national average.

Matthew Chinman

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Fake Convenience Store, Real Implications for Youth Smoking

In a simulated convenience store, hiding the can't-miss display of tobacco products behind the cashier decreased kids' intention to smoke in the future.

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The 10 Ps of Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana policy is a growing topic of discussion, and laws are starting to change. Ten choices confronting jurisdictions considering legalization cover many of the critical decisions that will determine whether removing prohibition is a good idea.

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

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What Works in Early Life to Prevent Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction?

Tobacco and alcohol addiction are widespread public health risks across the European Union. Both merit tackling at a young age. Evidence-based, early interventions are available that can be applied in small-scale settings to prevent underage alcohol and tobacco abuse.

Daniel Schweppenstedde

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Dutch and UK Adolescents See More Alcohol Advertising on TV Than Adults

Adolescents in the UK and the Netherlands (but not in Germany) see more alcohol adverts on television, per hour of television watched, than adults. These differences result from the different viewing times, channels watched, and the placement of adverts.

Eleanor Winpenny

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Legalising Cannabis Is More Than Just a Yes or No Decision

Any truly honest discussion about how to regulate cannabis markets must start with clear objectives and goals. How these markets are opened can be as important as the decision to legalise cannabis.

Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

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U.S. Needs to Improve Community-Based Drug, Alcohol Prevention

As familiar as Americans are with the problems of youth drug and alcohol abuse, we are not identifying all the potential solutions. While observers criticize overemphasis in U.S. policy on enforcement and scant resources devoted to treatment, the focus on these approaches often ignores a key piece of the puzzle: prevention.

Matthew Chinman, Joie D. Acosta, et al.

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Group Motivational Interviewing Can Help Teens Make Healthy Choices

Group motivational interviewing is a guided therapeutic approach that helps people think about their motivations for behavior and their commitment to change. It is an excellent fit for adolescents, because it engages them about their personal experiences while eliciting ideas about how they can change and make healthy choices.

Elizabeth J. D'Amico

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Getting To Outcomes: Improvement of Prevention Capacity Unveiled at a Summit of Maine Officials and Stakeholders

Community-based practitioners can improve their programs using Getting To Outcomes®, a toolkit, training, and onsite-support package which enhances their ability to prevent drug and alcohol use among youth.

Matthew Chinman, Joie D. Acosta, et al.

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Teen Employment May Not Always Be a Boon for At-Risk Youth

For all teens, and especially those who have already experienced problems related to alcohol and drug use, it is essential to monitor the quality of work experiences and keep in mind that some work environments might increase risk for substance use.

Karen Chan Osilla, Sarah B. Hunter, et al.

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Webcast: Getting to Outcomes in Underage Drinking Prevention

In honor of National Underage Drinking Prevention Day, there will be a live, interactive webcast today (May 21) about successful approaches and resources to prevent underage drinking. The issue of underage drinking may sometimes be overshadowed by other forms of substance use, but it remains a steady and significant problem in the United States.