A data-driven approach for your community to address substance misuse and related consequences
Featured Resources
The CDC analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to study changes in substance use among high school students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights the need for tailored, evidence-based prevention programs to further reduce adolescent substance use.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Youth Initiative published nine factsheets designed to dispel myths and provide clear, factual information about substance use to support prevention efforts. Below are some selected examples of the myths addressed, along with links to the corresponding factsheets:
Myth 1: Cannabis is Harmless
Myth 3: Everybody is Using Drugs
Myth 7: Using Drugs Helps You to Feel Good and Relaxed
Myth 9: Smart Drugs Fuel My Brain and Boost My Academic Performance
The article explores the implementation of the Ho‘ouna Pono drug prevention program in rural Hawai‘i schools, using concept mapping to identify barriers and facilitators. By engaging educational leaders, the study aims to develop tailored strategies for sustainable prevention efforts, addressing health disparities among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth.
A pilot study aims to explore parental influences on substance use resistance in rural Hawaiian communities to develop culturally relevant prevention programs. The study emphasizes the crucial role of family in shaping youth behaviors and the need for culturally tailored interventions to address health disparities.