Substance use and misuse can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. Prevention services are a critical part of bringing down rates of overdose and mitigating other consequences. Therefore, prevention professionals need to be at the table when decisions are being made about how to address substance use and misuse in communities.
To get a seat at the table, prevention professionals need to find advocates, know the terminology related to substance misuse and addiction and be able to tell stories about the impact of prevention strategies. Once you’re engaged, it’s important to advocate for funding for prevention research, communication and innovation.
To learn more, view RTI Senior Director, Center on Social Determinants, Risk Behaviors, and Prevention Science, Phillip W. Graham’s keynote from NPN 2019 or check out the following resources for information to support you in your efforts.
Find an Advocate
Society for Prevention Research
National Prevention Science Coalition
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Know the Lingo
Subtance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Strategic Prevention Framework
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Commonly Used Terms in Addiction Science
Recovery Research Institute Addictionary™
Tell the Prevention Story
Interactive Handout: Tips for Telling Your Prevention Story
Nancy Duarte: The Secret Structure of Great Talks
Harvard Business Review: How to Tell a Great Story
Graphic: The Clues to a Great Story
Securing Funding
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
