Resource Library

This issues brief is designed to help substance abuse prevention practitioners better understand and prevent the growing problem of heroin use. Specifically, it provides: an overview of recent trends in heroin use and related consequences; information on national, state and local data sources for heroin-related indicators; an inventory of research-based risk and protective factors associated with heroin use; and evidence-based strategies for preventing heroin use.

This issues brief is designed to help substance abuse prevention practitioners better understand and prevent the growing problem of heroin use. Specifically, it provides: an overview of recent trends in heroin use and related consequences; information on national, state and local data sources for heroin-related indicators; an inventory of research-based risk and protective factors associated with heroin use; and evidence-based strategies for preventing heroin use.

This issues brief is designed to help substance abuse prevention practitioners better understand and prevent the growing problem of heroin use. Specifically, it provides: an overview of recent trends in heroin use and related consequences; information on national, state and local data sources for heroin-related indicators; an inventory of research-based risk and protective factors associated with heroin use; and evidence-based strategies for preventing heroin use.

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.

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

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 at-a-glance chart provides a quick look at prevention strategies that have been shown to directly address common risk factors associated with prescription drug misuse.

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.

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.

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.

This toolkit is a resource for communicators who want to change the narrative about adolescence and adolescent development.

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.