Andria Blackwood, PhD; Rodney Wambeam, PhD; and Emily Grant PhD

Region 8 Mountain Plains PTTC

Substance misuse remains a pressing public health concern globally, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities.¹ It contributes significantly to the burden of disease, disability, and premature death, and is often associated with a range of social and economic problems, including increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and criminal justice involvement. The misuse of substances such as opioids, alcohol, and other drugs continues to strain public health systems, particularly in at-risk populations which may already face barriers to accessing care and support. Addressing substance misuse requires a comprehensive understanding of its complex causes, which include biological, psychological, and non-medical drivers of health.²

There has been a growing recognition of the importance of prevention in mitigating the harmful effects of substance misuse. While treatment, recovery, and harm reduction remain essential components of public health responses, prevention strategies—particularly those grounded in evidence—offer the potential for long-term impact by reducing the incidence of substance misuse before it begins.³ These strategies include school-and community-based interventions, public policy initiatives, and efforts to build resilience among at-risk populations.⁴ To be effective, such interventions must be tailored to the specific needs of populations and informed by a robust understanding of local trends and risk and protective factors.⁵

The foundation of any successful prevention strategy lies in the use of high-quality data to inform program development, implementation, and evaluation. Data-driven approaches enable public health professionals to identify emerging patterns of substance misuse, allocate resources efficiently, and assess the impact of interventions over time. Moreover, integrating evidence-based practices with ongoing monitoring and evaluation ensures that prevention efforts remain responsive to evolving community needs.⁶

As the public health field continues to evolve, there is a critical need for research that supports the development and scaling of effective, data-informed prevention strategies to address the continual challenges of substance misuse. This article highlights two key ways data are used to support substance misuse prevention strategies:

It also discusses two integrative tools for collecting, managing, and analyzing data effectively.

Read the full article to learn more about using data in Prevention.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offers a blueprint that the U.S. can use to expand evidence-based interventions to prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and improve mental health.

The committee that wrote the report began its study in 2023, and the report was finalized before recent major structural and workforce changes within federal health agencies were reported.
 
The report identifies the infrastructure — funding, workforce, data systems, governance, and partnerships — needed to successfully implement effective approaches to improve mental health in an array of settings and for people at all life stages.

Learn more and read the full report.

Join the PTTC Network at the 2025 National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference.

The conference will be held August 11-13, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Washington, D.C.

This year’s theme is: Substance Use Prevention Across the Lifespan: Creating a Monumental Impact. The conference will highlight the latest research in substance use prevention and provide a forum for networking and learning. 

Early bird registration is open through July 22. Additional information can be found on the registration page.

As a substance use prevention professional, you regularly face situations that involve ethics. Often it is clear how to act ethically; other times it is not.

Check out the learning opportunities on the PTTC Network’s Prevention Ethics page and be sure to regularly check the PTTC Network’s Training and Events Calendar for new opportunities.