Resource Library

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

How to construct, properly word the questions to prevent bias, format and pretest a questionnaire.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how a truly comprehensive response to substance use and abuse in our country can be implemented. Specifically, this response includes BOTH environmental/policy efforts and individually-focused prevention efforts in order to reduce substance abuse population-wide. Furthermore, it is critical to recognize the invaluable role local, community-based coalitions play in implementing a comprehensive array of evidence-based strategies to reduce underage drinking, tobacco use and illicit drug use.

This focus group guide, developed for Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative, contains an overview of the structure of a focus group; tips for facilitators; and sample questions for various audiences such as active users, families of users, treatment providers, youth/teens, police/first responders, the recovery community, and the emergency department staff.

The School Health Index (SHI) Self-Assessment and Planning Guide is an online self-evaluation and planning tool for schools. The SHI is built on CDC’s research-based guidelines for school health programs that identify the policies and practices most likely to be effective in reducing youth health risk behaviors. The SHI is easy to use and is completely confidential.

Information on conducting a social marketing effort (promoting awareness, interest, and behavior change), and planning for long-term sustainability.

This resource provides information on what it means to organize for community change and effective strategies, as well as an overview on starting and maintaining a coalition with accompanying tools and examples.

As part of a strategic planning process, practitioners need to select prevention strategies or interventions that address those risk and protective factors associated with their prioritized substance-related problem(s). This document summarizes evaluations of prevention strategies and interventions associated with binge or heavy episodic drinking, as identified in the prevention research literature. It also provides recommendations for using the prevention research to inform strategy selection.

This guidance document is a resource for municipalities, individuals, organizations, community coalitions, and other groups who are implementing universal prevention efforts aimed at preventing and reducing underage drinking and other drug use in Massachusetts, including those whose efforts are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) and, more specifically, grantees of the Massachusetts Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC) grant program.

The Central East PTTC has created the Substance Use Prevention Resources for Use During a Pandemic guide to help prevention professionals navigate this challenging time.

The Central East PTTC has created the Substance Use Prevention Resources for Use During a Pandemic guide to help prevention professionals navigate this challenging time.