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Prevention

Brief Description

NIDA's prevention research program focuses on risks for drug abuse and other problem behaviors that occur throughout a child's development, from pregnancy through young adulthood. Research funded by NIDA and other Federal research organizations - such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - shows that early intervention can prevent many adolescent risk behaviors. Learn more

Family Checkup link

Family Checkup

Developed by the Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon, Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse highlights parenting skills that are important in preventing the initiation and progression of drug use among youth.

NIDA TV Spotlight: Communities That Care

NIDA TV interview with Communities that Care Co-Developer, Dr. David Hawkins, following his discussion on treating addiction through a community supported science-based approach. The National Institute on Drug Abuse hosted the presentation of Dr. Hawkins' introduction of electronic training for CTC in Rockville, Maryland, February 2014.

Update on Communities That Care prevention program.

Drug Prevention Specialists Meet Community Leaders in NIDA-Sponsored Virtual Town Hall Event

To celebrate recent advances in drug prevention science, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sponsored its first virtual town hall meeting. This unique event on September 9, 2009 brought together representatives from key federal agencies involved in preventing and combating substance abuse in the United States.

Town Hall Summary (Selected Clips)

Related Videos

Related Publications

Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood

Revised March 2016. This guide, intended for parents, practitioners, and policymakers, begins with a list of 7 principles addressing the specific ways in which early interventions can have positive effects on development; these principles reflect findings on the influence of intervening early with vulnerable populations, on the course of child development, and on common elements of early childhood programs.

Lessons from Prevention Research

Revised March 2014. Describes principles important to consider when developing drug abuse prevention programs and discusses issues relevant for family, school, and community settings. En Español

Publication Cover

Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents (In Brief)

Published January 1997. Revised October 2003. Presents research-based drug abuse prevention principles, an overview of program planning, and critical first steps for those learning about prevention. En Español

Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood A Research-Based Guide (In Brief) cover

Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood A Research-Based Guide (In Brief)

Published September 2016. This brief guide highlights seven evidence-based principles of prevention for use in the early years of a child’s life (prenatal through age 8), developed from research funded in full or in part by NIDA. This guide also lists evidence-based prevention and intervention programs that work with different populations and age groups.

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Addiction Science and Clinical Practice: Volume 6, Number 1

Published July 2011. Presents current knowledge on a variety of addiction issues, including nicotine’s effects on brain function, inhalant abuse, and maternal tobacco use and its effects on children. Also discusses genetically based research and treatment and a classroom behavior management method called the "Good Behavior Game."

View all related publications

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Learn about the NIH-sponsored clinical trials available to you.

Other Clinical Trials information sources:

This page was last updated March 2014