The 2023 National Substance Abuse Prevention Month year's theme is “Connecting the Dots: Opportunities for Recovery.”

October was first declared as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in 2011. Since then, it’s been a time to promote prevention efforts and the help that is available in our community. It is also a time to acknowledge that almost 20 million Americans who struggle with addiction, those that have lost their battles with addiction, and those in recovery, as well as the family and friends who support them.

Key to substance use prevention is talking openly with our students and helping them understand the impact of substance abuse on their health. Studies show that the earlier an individual starts smoking, drinking, or using other drugs, the greater the likelihood of developing an addiction. Every year that substance use is delayed during the period of adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decreases.

So, why do we recognize National Substance Abuse Prevention Month?

·       Millions of Americans suffer from substance abuse, which includes underage drinking, alcohol dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use. 

·       More than one million people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose.

·        In 2021, 106,699 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States.

• 46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year, including 29.5 million people who were classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million people who were classified as having a drug use disorder.
• The rate of current illicit drug use among persons aged 12 or older in 2010 (8.9 percent) was similar to the rate in 2009 (8.7 percent), but higher than the rate in 2008 (8.0 percent).
• Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2010, there were 17.4 million past month users.

Prevention strategies targeting the root of the problem are essential to curb drug use and help people lead healthier lives.  Early intervention helps prevent substance abuse and reduce the negative consequences of addiction before they occur.  Through community-based efforts involving youth, parents, educators, and government officers, we can strengthen the support systems that deter our Nation’s young people from drug consumption and improve both academic performance and workforce readiness.

Each dollar invested in an evidence-based prevention program can reduce costs related to substance use disorders by an average of $18. 

It is important to note that the Administration Awarded $42.6 Million to Expand and Strengthen the Capacity of States and Local Community Prevention Providers to Implement Evidence-based Prevention Strategies