Effective Prevention in New Jersey

SCREENING TOOLS Establishing systems which help identify youth at high risk due to early first use of substances is an evidence-based strategy. Prevention efforts should promote screening to identify youth who need early intervention services. Various screening tools are available for schools, healthcare providers, etc. Creating opportunities for the identification of early first use or problem alcohol or drug use allows prevention interventions to support youth and deter further use that can lead to further risk including a substance use disorder. The most formal process is the universal screening, SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment), which is an evidence- based approach used to identify youth/adults who use alcohol and other drugs at risky levels. SAMHSA considers SBIRT an approach to deliver early intervention and treatment for people with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing these disorders. When used with young people, it addresses problematic behaviors and other risk behaviors that may lead to substance use disorder or other negative impacts. SUMMARY This Effective Prevention in NJ: A Community Guide to Reducing Youth Substance Use Toolkit highlights the research that served as the building blocks of evidence-based prevention. It also showcases the current science on effective strategies that impact youth today. As noted in our introduction, Trust for America’s Health and Well Being’s report, The Pain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crises and The Need for a National Resilience Strategy , states: One thing is clear, there is an immediate need to develop an actionable national response to alcohol and drug misuse and death by suicide. Not only are these urgent health crises across this country, they are indicators of the need to go deeper and to look at underlying causes and opportunities to create an integrated approach to well-being for all people, and especially for those who are at a high risk for experiencing those challenges. “ “

This is a call to action for all of us. We must work collaboratively to use the science that guides effective prevention. Using the Strategic Prevention Framework and other research highlighted in this toolkit, we must plan and implement evidence-based strategies to address the needs identified all along the proverbial river bank. By working upstream,we ensure that our efforts truly create long-term, positive impact in our communities and among our families and youth.

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