Substance Abuse Prevention Agencies

There are a wide variety of substance abuse prevention agencies ranging from federal and state organizations to nonprofit groups. Most substance abuse prevention agencies work to educate parents, healthcare professionals and educators on the dangers of drug abuse. They provide information about how to recognize the signs of drug abuse, what groups of people are most at risk for becoming drug abusers and where treatment for drug and alcohol abuse can be found.

SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency provides statistics and data on substance abuse, devises programs that can assist communities in fighting drug abuse and distributes grants and contracts to support state and community substance abuse prevention projects. SAMHSA also provides a drug treatment locator service and tackles research projects on lifestyles and co-occurring mental illnesses common in drug abusers.

American Council for Drug Education

The American Council for Drug Education develops materials and programs that address substance abuse prevention. The materials are based on scientific studies and research that provides educators and healthcare professionals with up-to-date information on drug treatment, prevention programs and the impact of drug abuse on society. They provide videos, books and other publications to law enforcement agencies, faith-based leaders, families and community-based prevention groups.

Partnership for a Drug-Free America

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization that focuses primarily on parents with programs, Internet tools and information on how to keep children drug-free. They provide scientific research information to parents about the effects of drugs and how to recognize the signs of substance abuse. The group partners with large businesses, such as Met Life, to raise money for public awareness campaigns. They offer targeted prevention promotions to special populations such as Hispanic communities and military families.

Parents -- The Anti-Drug

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, best known as Parents--the Anti-Drug, delivers media campaigns in print and on television to discourage drug abuse. They host a website called TheAntiDrug.com that provides statistics, expert articles and advice, input from teens and parental support programs. The agency partners with business, nonprofit community-based substance abuse organizations and public groups to carry an anti-drug message to families of all backgrounds.