ASAM supports a wide variety of effective measures to prevent substance use-related problems, especially among youth.
Public Policy Statement on Prevention
ASAM released a public policy statement on prevention in 2023, highlighting recommendations for policymakers in four areas: (1) general prevention policy measures, (2) maximizing opportunities within the healthcare system, (3) strengthening substance-specific measures, and (4) capitalizing on future prevention opportunities.
Public Policy Statement on Hepatitis C Virus, Substance Use, and Addiction
Learn more about ASAM's public policy recommendations regarding the intertwined public health crises of Hepatitis C Virus and opioid use disorder (OUD).
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Public Policy Statement on Use of Naloxone for the Prevention of Drug Overdose Deaths
Learn more about ASAM's recommendations and broader policy position regarding naloxone use and access.
AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force
The AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force has published recommendations for addressing the changing drug-related overdose epidemic.
HHS Guidance on Naloxone for Healthcare Providers and Patients
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for healthcare providers and patients detailing how naloxone can help save lives and should be prescribed to all patients at risk for opioid complications, including overdose.
Surgeon General’s Advisory on Naloxone and Opioid Overdose
This advisory issued by the Surgeon General encourages more individuals, including family, friends, and those at risk for opioid overdose, to keep on hand naloxone, an FDA-approved medication that can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide rates in the U.S. continue to rise, increasing by 12.7% from 2012 to 2022. People with substance use disorder (SUD) have a higher suicide risk than people without SUD. The Biden Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), just released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and an accompanying Federal Action Plan, developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), and an Interagency Work Group (IWG), comprised of over 20 agencies in 10 federal departments.
- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Toolkit
- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet
Prevention Resources
The Partnership to End Addiction
Find the Partnership to End Addiction's Prevention and Early Intervention resources here.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
CADCA is a membership organization representing those working to make their communities safe, healthy and drug-free, and offers support for building a community-based coalition, advocacy toolkits, and training and resources on using data (for example, developing a logic model) to drive local work.
Drug Take-Back Resources
National Drug Take-Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosts a national take-back day; this year, April 27, 2024. More information here.
Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know
DEA resource to educate consumers and caregivers on the importance of removing expired, unwanted, or unused medicines from their home.
School, Community, and Family Resources
Medicaid and School-Based Services Resources
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently created a Technical Assistance Center for Medicaid and School-Based Services, including:
- Medicaid and School-Based Services Frequently Asked Questions.
- Technical Assistance materials.
- School-Based Services (SBS) Comprehensive Guide to Medicaid Services and Administrative Claiming.
Guidance to States and School Systems on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Schools
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued this Joint Informational Bulletin to provide the public, including states, schools, and school systems, with information about addressing mental health and substance use issues in schools.
Infectious Disease Prevention
DrugFacts: HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse: Intertwined Epidemics
This resource created by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides background information on the link between substance use and HIV transmission as well as other infectious diseases.
Viral Hepatitis—A Very Real Consequence of Substance Use
This resource created by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides background information on the link between substance use and viral hepatitis.
HIV Basics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created this resource to provide education on what HIV/AIDS is, how it is transmitted, and the proper treatment.
Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have developed a web-based process for the rapid formulation and dissemination of evidence-based, expert-developed recommendations for hepatitis C management.