
Applying prevention science to policy and practice around the world

Prevention Highlights
A National Strategy for Preventing Substance and Opioid Use Disorders Through Evidence‐Based Prevention Programming that Fosters Healthy Outcomes in Our Youth
The recently released National Drug Control Strategy (2022) from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) lays out a comprehensive plan to, not only enhance access to treatment and increase harm reduction strategies, but also increase implementation of evidence-based prevention programming at the community level. Furthermore, the Strategy provides a framework for enhancing our national data systems to inform policy and to evaluate all components of the plan. However, not only are there several missing components to the Strategy that would assure its success, but there.... Read More
Our Scientific Advisors Say...

“Which prevention programs and policies are truly worthy of being considered “evidence-based”? I’ve been thinking about the answer to this challenging question for decades. The difference between what can – and what should not – be called “evidence-based” is often critical, if we are to avoid wasting the limited available resources we can expend on prevention. But that difference is often difficult to discern, and as evidence accumulates over time the status of a given program and policy may well change. Sifting through the evidence on a continuing basis, and making recommendations as to what should and should not be implemented, is the job of the entire community involved in the application of prevention science.”
Chris Ringwalt, DrPH