The STRATEGIC PREVENTION FRAMEWORK

 Individual and environmental intervention strategies are two primary approaches to preventing substance use disorders.

Some prevention interventions are designed to help individuals develop the intentions and skills to act in a healthy manner. Others focus on creating environments that support healthy behavior. Research indicates that the most effective prevention interventions incorporate both approaches. Targeted prevention identifies and reaches out to populations that are at a higher risk for substance misuse.

Any prevention approach should be used with the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). Learn more about applying the SPF.

The prevention workforce must also have the cultural competence to effectively engage with the individuals or communities they are targeting. Learn more about cultural competence and the SPF.

Sustainability is another important component of prevention efforts, and the focus of any such effort should be on sustaining positive outcomes, not sustaining any particular program. Learn more about sustainability.

Graphic Sourced from SAHMSA: A Guide to SAMHSA’S Strategic Prevention Framework 2019