Substance abuse is a major issue that affects many communities across the United States, including those in Middle Tennessee. To effectively address this problem, it is important to understand the strategies that have been successful in supporting communities affected by substance abuse. The “Seven Strategies for Achieving Community Change” are widely accepted as the most effective approach to tackling substance abuse. These strategies involve implementing community-based prevention programs, such as classroom-focused interventions, policies to reduce the availability of substances, and programs that promote social and emotional competencies.
The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) is an example of a successful intervention program. This program was developed as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation and works to change risk and protective factors at the community level. It also seeks to reduce substance use throughout the community by simultaneously planning and executing one or more prevention strategies. Universal interventions, such as establishing a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) or reducing the availability of substances in the community, have also been proven to be effective in helping to address substance abuse.
In addition, early-onset disorders, substance abuse and substance use are associated with a variety of negative consequences, such as deteriorating relationships, poor school performance, loss of employment, declining mental health, and increased illness and death. A number of multicomponent and universal programs for elementary school students, involving both schools and parents, have been successful in preventing substance abuse. Strengthening state and local public health capacity will also help increase surveillance and monitoring of risk and protective factors and substance use by adolescents and adults in the general population. Despite the evidence discussed in this section, many policies are not consistently implemented in states or communities.
It is essential to prevent substance abuse from starting and to identify people who have already begun to misuse substances so that interventions can be made soon in order to reduce the major challenges posed by substance abuse and its consequences.
