Resources

Resource Library

Search our resource library to access a wealth of information to support your substance misuse prevention efforts. Use the drop down menus to search by resource type and/or prevention topic, or type a keyword into the search bar. New resources added regularly!

Resource Title Description Resource Type
Preventing Marijuana Use: Data Resources

This decision-support tool offers a comprehensive listing of available data resources and surveys developed by and for a range of federal agencies and that collect data on marijuana use and its consequences.

Tool
Preventing Opioid Misuse and Overdose: Data Sources and Tools to Inform Assessment and Planning Efforts

Presents a list of 16 key data sources for prescription opioids and heroin to inform assessment and planning efforts.

Tool
Preventing Prescription Drug Misuse: Selected Strategies and Associated Risk Factors

This table presents selected strategies to prevent prescription drug misuse. These strategies have been selected because research shows that they directly address common risk factors associated with NMUPD. For each strategy, we provide a brief description and the associated factor(s) it addresses. Please note that while other strategies are currently in use, this list represents the few that have been rigorously evaluated.

Fact Sheet/Issue Brief
Preventing Prescription Drug Misuse: Understanding Who Is at Risk

The nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) has become an increasing public health concern in the United States, with abuse rates rising rapidly since the late 1990s. Yet preventing and reducing prescription drug misuse represents a major challenge for several reasons. First, we know less about the factors that contribute to NMUPD than about those that contribute to other drug use. Also, because of how prescription drugs are made available, these factors may differ from those that are associated with alcohol misuse and illicit drug use. This tool provides a starting point for understanding those factors that the research literature has identified as being associated with NMUPD and its consequences. Understanding these factors can help us assess, plan for, and select interventions designed to address them. The factors included in this tool have been organized according to the socio-ecological model, a multi-level framework that allows us to consider the different contexts in which risk and protective factors exist.

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Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Student Athletes Fact Sheet

Recent legislation in Massachusetts requires that parents of middle and high school athletes and other adults such as coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, and school nurses receive educational materials on the potential dangers of opioid use and misuse. The educational materials shall also be distributed in written form to all students participating in an extracurricular athletic activity prior to the commencement of their athletic seasons.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Massachusetts Technical Assistance Partnership for Prevention (MassTAPP) collaborated to provide action steps to help prevent opioid misuse and overdose among student athletes. This fact sheet also highlight resources for addressing possible alcohol or opioid misuse or addiction.

Fact Sheet/Issue Brief
Preventing Underage Cannabis Use: Risk/Protective Factors & Effective Communication

As the landscape of medicinal and adult personal use of cannabis change across the country, prevention practitioners are left with mixed messages about how to address youth cannabis use. Research is catching up to this changing landscape, and new information about how perception of harm and related factors impact youth cannabis use are emerging. This two module webinar course will focus on the research behind those factors, as well as evidence-informed strategies for addressing them.

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Preventing Youth Marijuana Use: Factors Associated with Use

This decision-support tool offers a summary of research findings on risk and protective factors associated with youth marijuana use.

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Preventing Youth Marijuana Use: Marijuana Data Sources

This compilation of data sources was developed for epidemiologists, researchers, practitioners, and others in the substance misuse prevention field who provide guidance or technical assistance to grantee communities seeking to address marijuana use. It can be used to help communities measure or document the scope of marijuana use, consequences, and/or risk and protective factors and help to identify measures of marijuana-related outcomes.

Report/Research
Preventing Youth Marijuana Use: National Survey Measures

This resource provides guidance on using standard measures to document youth marijuana use. It is a compilation of measures developed for epidemiologists, evaluators, practitioners, and others in the substance misuse prevention field who provide technical assistance to communities seeking to address youth marijuana use.

Report/Research
Prevention Across the Continuum

This is the first webinar in a three-part series on implementing prevention strategies across the continuum of care. Prevention plays a critical role throughout the continuum of care and understanding this role can prepare prevention professionals to be the most effective in their work. Having a solid understanding of this model is one of the first steps prevention professional should grasp. Join us for an interactive webinar series that outlines each component of the continuum, and the role prevention has throughout, as well as identifying areas that prevention can serve in a supportive role as communities work collaboratively to reduce substance misuse. Information about the other two webinars can be found here:

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Prevention and the Basics of Social Media Management

This infographic was created to help guide substance misuse prevention professionals in social media efforts using Facebook and LinkedIn. The document includes definitions, tools, and tips to help get you started.

Fact Sheet/Issue Brief
Prevention Collaboration In Action

This toolkit showcases some of the exciting ways prevention professionals are collaborating across communities and behavioral health fields to prevent substance use and misuse and promote overall health and wellness in their communities.

Tool
Prevention Collaboration in Action: Engaging the Right Partners

This document, available in English and Spanish, provides a list of potential state- and community-level partners to engage in opioid overdose prevention efforts.

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Prevention Core Competencies

These prevention core competencies and accompanying knowledge, skills, and abilities offer professional direction to the prevention field, affecting staff development and career ladders and pipelines, and providing guidance for training programs and service delivery qualification.

Report/Research
Prevention Core Competencies for Prevention Professionals

The Introduction to the Prevention Core Competencies for Prevention Professionals, covers the foundations of substance use prevention science for early and mid-career prevention professionals. By taking this course, you'll be able to expand your knowledge and skills in the field of prevention and ultimately enhance your ability to make a positive impact in your community.

The curriculum utilizes evidence-based strategies for adult learning; and builds upon and complements existing workforce training curricula and resources (e.g., Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (SAPST), Foundations of Prevention Science and Practice Curriculum, and Universal Prevention Curriculum).

Report/Research