National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy Released
Each week, the Higher Education Center showcases recent developments in the field of AOD abuse and violence prevention in higher education that may include new data and resources, upcoming events and programs, funding opportunities, and learning opportunities. To see a listing of previous This Week! features, visit the This Week! archive.
August 19, 2011
Members of the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council, which is composed of 17 federal agencies, recently announced the release of the National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy. The strategy includes “Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use” as one of its major priorities and highlights the Drug-Free Communities Support Program as a community-based program that has successfully reduced alcohol, tobacco, and drug use rates among youth.
The report highlights ways that partners, including community-based organizations and coalitions, can support each of the strategic directions, as well as the priorities under the strategic directions. As it relates to the priority of preventing other drug abuse and excessive alcohol use, the strategy notes that coalitions can get involved by supporting the implementation and enforcement of alcohol and other drug control policies, educating youth and adults about the risks of drug abuse, working with media outlets and retailers to reduce alcohol marketing to youth, and increasing awareness on the proper storage and disposal of prescription drugs.
To learn more, visit the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council Web site.