SAMHSA’s 20th Day of Prevention: Pioneering Science, Improving Lives

We’re building on the momentum of SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day and looking forward to National Prevention Week (May 12-18).

Approximately 4,300 prevention professionals, researchers and advocates from across the country attended SAMHSA’s 20^u Prevention Day was held outside Washington, DC on January 29, 2024. This was the largest Prevention Day gathering to date, offering 83 sessions with approximately 200 speakers – leaders in science, promoting substance use and abuse prevention, and enhancing lives. The synergy and positive energy of the prevention sector was palpable.

The opening plenary presented:

• Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, who discussed the role of prevention in SAMHSA’s strategic plan, recent data and SAMHSA’s current actions ― such as Communities Discussion scholarships, “Talk. They hear you.”^® campaign, Screen4Success online tool, National Prevention Week, Academy of Alcohol PolicyFentAlert Challenge, the updated Overdose Prevention and Treatment Toolkitnaloxone saturation design, prevention training and technical assistanceFindSupport.gov and 988 partner toolkit.

Then, to tell the prevention story, I started with data. The data tells us a few things.

• First, the SUD prevention field should be proud of our successes. Youth substance use has declined significantly over the past 20 years, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Tracking the Future research and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Behavior Research. SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health also shows that the vast majority of teenagers do not use substances.
• At the same time, there are significant challenges that call us to action, including ascension alcohol-related deaths and drugs overdose deathsthe changing epidemiology of populations at increased risk (with particular emphasis on inequalities and disparities), the increasingly dynamic landscape of substance use (and an increasingly toxic supply of illicit drugs), and the relationship between mental health problems and substance use .

We have to:

• Use the data to update our messages. This includes the use of substance-free data as part of a social norms approach (which emphasizes the impact of peer communities on substance use);
• Look at how we engage with different communities—making sure they’re at the table—and approach this work through an equity lens.
• Practice prevention throughout life, not just among young people.
• Work with mental health professionals who can be champions for substance use prevention. (It is worth noting that many of those who use substances also have co-occurring mental health conditions).
• Engaging more young people in prevention programming* ― such as problem solving, communication skills, and broader prevention programs around healthy relationships, connectedness, and safety.

I also took the opportunity to share the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s (CSAP) new vision, mission, strategic priorities, guiding principles, and comprehensive roadmap. The key imperatives of the CSAP are:

• Increase the conversation about prevention and tell the story of prevention, including the positive impact prevention has on communities across our country.
• Advocate for a holistic approach to prevention that addresses the full range of risk and protective factors (at the individual, family, school, community and societal levels).
• Increase the number of communities exposed to proven prevention strategies.
• Identify and develop innovative strategies for generating and translating science-based evidence into practice.
• Create new and strengthen existing partnerships and collaborations.
• Create opportunities for multiple directions from grantees, partners, and the field to inform our work.
• Provide excellent customer service to beneficiaries and in the field.

Ultimately, we aim to prevent use, prevent the progression of use and reduce harm. And we have the prevention book to do it.

We then moved on to a panel of former CSAP directors (Dona Dmitrovic, Johnnetta Davis-Joyce, Frances M. Harding, and Beverly Watts Davis). During a Q&A, they reflected on prevention travel and shared pearls of wisdom:

• Prevention is fundamental – you can build anything else (mental health promotion, violence prevention, etc.) on top of it.
• There are so many heroes in the field of prevention, who fill our hearts with joy.
• We’ve come so far using prevention science, and young people going into prevention will drive the field forward.
• Proactives know how to connect the dots and they are strong.
• Prevention, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation and mental health promotion are now working together.
• Prevention needs you. Look around your community. for example, go to vape shops when the kids get out of school.
• Start now with prevention, no matter your age or where you are in life.
• One day can change your life. One moment can change someone else’s life.

Later, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon hosted an “Ask the Assistant Secretary” session with youth in which she shared resources for youth activists and answered a series of questions.

Throughout the day at the Prevention Action Center (CSAP’s interactive learning hub), participants engaged in activities and learned about SAMHSA’s campaigns.

In the closing plenary, Tom Coderre, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of SAMHSA, emphasized that SAMHSA’s doors are open and made a request to the public: go back to your communities and share the value of prevention with potential new partners. Thanks to you, prevention works.

The next day, for the SAMHSA Power Session at CADCA National Leadership ForumMr. Coderre joined directors of SAMHSA’s Centers for Prevention, Treatment and Mental Health Services, showcasing our partnership to advance the nation’s behavioral health.

Reflecting on the 20th Day of Prevention, I left with a strong sense of hope and community, empowered by the voices of thousands of people who share the common goal of helping individuals, families and communities thrive. This is the work of prevention.

We look forward to your participation in National Prevention Week (May 12-18, 2024) and to see you at the next SAMHSA Prevention Day on February 3, 2025.

*See Table 3.9B NSDUH: “Participated in a prevention program or group in the past year”