What is “prevention”?

New Mexico’s Office of Substance Abuse Prevention defines “prevention” as:

“Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention is an active process that promotes the personal, physical, and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities to reinforce positive behaviors and healthy lifestyles. The term “prevention” is reserved for interventions that occur before the initial onset of a drug or alcohol related disorder.”

SAMHSA defines substance abuse prevention as:

"Creating communities where individuals, families, schools, faith-based organizations, and workplaces take action to promote emotional health and reduce the likelihood of mental illness, substance abuse including tobacco, and suicide."

What is “evidence-based”?

The Institute of Medicine (2009) defines “evidence-based” as:

“Programs that have been tested and replicated in real-world environments, that have reasonable cost, and are supported by tools that will help to implement key elements of the program with fidelity.” (pg. 6)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines “evidence-based” as:

“Evidence-based prevention refers to a set of prevention activities that evaluation research has shown to be effective. Some of these prevention activities help individuals develop the intentions and skills to act in a healthy manner. Others focus on creating an environment that supports healthy behavior.”

 

Refernces-A Resource Guide developed as part of an online training through the NM ATODA Prevention Workforce Training System.