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Addressing the root causes of health problems rather than just treating the symptoms.
Substance use prevention strategies take an upstream approach, in which the goal is to prevent substance use before it starts by educating and supporting individuals and families and promoting efforts that contribute to widespread positive community change. (Source: SAMHSA)
The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the negative and long-lasting impacts of substance use. It is crucial to work to delay the onset of use as much as possible, which is a vital goal of the upstream approach. Prevention efforts play a crucial role in promoting healthy choices and minimizing the risks associated with substance use.
Substance use prevention coalitions use strategies that focus on enhancing decision-making skills and strengthening emotional well-being and resiliency. They also prioritize informing youth and families about the risk factors that contribute to early substance use, as well as the protective factors that reduce the risks.
Supporting our Youth
The Developmental Assets in Your Community
Think of external assets as positive developmental experiences provided for youth by networks of supportive people and social systems in the community. They offer youth a consistent source of love and respect, opportunities for empowerment, leadership, service, and creativity, safe interpersonal and physical boundaries, and high expectations for personal achievement. The table summarizes the extent to which young people in your community experience each of the 20 external Developmental Assets.
The internal assets can be thought of as inner characteristics: a young person's motivation and commitment to academic achievement and lifelong learning; his or her positive personal values; social competencies (including relationship and communication skills); and characteristics of personal identity, including an optimistic future outlook and sense of purpose.
The table summarizes the extent to which young people in your community experience each of the 20 internal Developmental Assets.
*Table & Content Sources from Report (download entire report above)
Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth, Executive Summary and Complete Survey Report. Results from the Search Institute Survey, Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors. Regional School District 1 HVRHS, Torrington, CT March 2021
