Drug Demand Reduction Outreach

A Counterdrug Prevention Specialist within the National Guard Counterdrug Program supports substance misuse prevention efforts using a public health–informed approach consistent with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). Prevention specialists focus on strengthening protective factors, reducing risk factors, and building community capacity to prevent substance misuse before it occurs.

Assessment: Prevention specialists work with community partners to assess local substance misuse trends, risk factors, and protective factors using available data and community input. This ensures prevention activities are responsive to the specific needs of the population served.

Capacity Building: Specialists help build and sustain community prevention capacity by supporting coalitions, schools, and community organizations. This includes fostering partnerships, supporting leadership development, and strengthening prevention infrastructure.

Planning: Using assessment findings and evidence-informed practices, prevention specialists assist communities in planning prevention strategies that are culturally appropriate, data-driven, and aligned with community priorities.

Implementation: Specialists support the delivery of prevention education, outreach, and skill-building activities for youth, families, educators, and community leaders. These efforts promote substance misuse awareness, healthy decision-making, resilience, and positive life skills.

Evaluation: Prevention specialists support program evaluation and continuous improvement by collecting data, monitoring outcomes, and assessing effectiveness to inform future prevention efforts.

Through collaboration, education, and adherence to SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework, National Guard Counterdrug Prevention Specialists help communities implement sustainable, evidence-informed prevention strategies that reduce substance misuse and its associated harms.