Here's more on how you can help prevent substance abuse

A Little History

In 2011, President Obama issued the first-ever Presidential Proclamation designating October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

Addiction Numbers

According the recently released 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 20.6 million Americans over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol and drugs; 14.1 million alcohol, 3.9 million illicit drugs, no alcohol and 2.6 million, alcohol and illicit drugs. Plain and simple, underage drinking, alcohol and drug dependence, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use take a devastating toll on our families and in our communities.

For example, young Americans aged 12 to 20 account for 11% of the country's monthly alcohol consumption; and, approximately 23 million people aged 12 or older used illicit drugs in 2010. This abuse touches all aspects of our communities and contributes to an estimated $416 billion in crime, health care, and lost productivity costs.

What You Can Do

Take action to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and encourage family and friends to do the same! Preventing substance abuse in your community starts with you.

Prevention Resources

Too Smart to Start – a website dedicated to helping youth, families, educators, and communities prevent underage alcohol use and its related problems.

Stop Underage Drinking – a comprehensive portal of federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue.

Tips for Teens – a series of brochures that provides facts and dispels myths about use of substances including marijuana, club drugs, hallucinogens, cocaine, inhalants, and others. Provides information on long-term and short-term effects, physical and psychological risks, and legal implications.

Keeping Your Teens Drug-Free: A Guide for African American Parents and Caregivers – a brochure that discusses skills African American parents and caregivers can use to prevent illicit drug use among teens.

As You Age ... A Guide to Aging, Medicines, and Alcohol – a brochure that warns about the dangers of the elderly misusing alcohol, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs. Describes the signs of misuse and steps that older adults can take to prevent problems.