Vermont can’t afford not to focus on prevention

Prevention is cost effective -

Researchers at Iowa State University found that $1 spent on prevention saves $10 that would later have been spent on treatment, associated health costs, emergency room services, and incarceration.

There are over 39 substance abuse prevention coalitions focused on addressing the needs of their communities throughout Vermont -

These community coalitions work to build relationships, increase opportunities for community involvement and the community’s understanding of substance abuse issues. They provide training education and information.  They recognize that the damages of drugs, alcohol abuse and tobacco effect us all and form collaborative relationships with community partners to promote healthy lifestyles and activities and create an environment in which everyone can succeed.

Coalitions are using evidence-based strategies -

Coalitions are implementing strategies in the community that have demonstrated proven results.  For the period of 2009-2011:  5 coalitions are working to change local and statewide substance policy, 6 coalitions facilitate drug and alcohol curriculums with youth, 11 coalitions have programs to support and educate parents, 14 are partnering with local law enforcement and liquor control to reduce underage drinking, 4 are working to reduce substance use among college students. 8 coalitions have involved youth in reducing underage drinking with sticker shock campaigns in retail stores, all coalitions have done some kind of counter advertising in their communities and much, much more!!!

Policy change prevention strategies work –

The number of fatal crashes involving alcohol dropped to 25 in Vermont in 2002, exactly half the number seen in 1986 before the Minimum Legal Drinking Age was raised to 21.

Sustained efforts can save lives –

Currently 20 coalitions, funded and coordinated by the Department of Health, serve as the mechanism for bringing statewide tobacco control efforts to the local level. They are the driving force in keeping tobacco control partners engaged and actively working toward creating tobacco-free communities.  As a result the smoking rate for youth in grades 8-12 has declined steeply from 31 percent in 1999 to 16 percent in 2008.

Prevention messages reduce underage use -

A Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study, conducted from 2002-2007, found that youth exposed to prevention messages used alcohol less than youth who did not hear such messages.