MCP utilizes the Strategic Prevention Framework developed by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). The SPF’s five steps assists community anti-drug coalitions in developing the infrastructure needed for community-based, public health approaches leading to effective and sustainable reduction in alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use and abuse such as:
Step 1: Assessment: Collect data to define problems, resources, and readiness within a geographic area to address needs and gaps.
Step 2: Capacity: Mobilize and/or build capacity within a geographic area to address needs.
Step 3: Planning: Develop a comprehensive strategic plan that include policies, programs, and practices creating a logical data-driven plan to address problems identified in Step 1.
Step 4: Implementation: Implement evidence-based prevention programs, policies and practices.
Step 5: Evaluation: Measure the impact of the SPF and the implemented programs, policies and practices.
In addition, our coalition understands the importance of utilizing the risk and protective factor model in our prevention efforts. The more risk factors present in a community or within an individual, the greater the likelihood that a problem with drug or alcohol abuses will develop.
Our coalition addresses these issues by implementing the Center for Substance Abuse (CSAP) six prevention strategies within our targeted population. By implementing these prevention strategies, we can ensure that effective programs utilized in our prevention effort would produce positive outcomes in the reduction of substance use among youth. The PHSC currently uses all six prevention strategies and initiatives:
Information Dissemination - Public information and educational programming regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use has increased knowledge regarding the hazards of substance use and aided in the development of negative attitudes toward ATOD use within the community.
Education - Educational approaches that combines the conveyance of information about the harms of substance abuse with the fostering of skills (problem-solving, communication) and promoting protective factors has been shown to be more effective.
Problem Identification and Referral - obtaining accurate estimates of the number of youth whose substance abuse pattern justify intervention services has always been a priority for our coalition. This process has allowed the coalition to ensure that youth who are already using drugs or alcohol at the time of the prevention effort will receive appropriate treatment to meet their needs.
Community-Based Process - The coalition members and advisory boards are heavily involved in efforts to reduce substance use within the community. The coalition members partnered with school personnel and often work together to network and strengthen the community efforts in the reduction of substance use.
Environmental - Educating and informing the public and local merchants through merchant education, vendor training to prevent underage access to alcohol and tobacco products, modifying alcohol and tobacco advertising practices and providing training and resources to schools, city officials, and law enforcement is one of our top priorities.
