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Alcohol and Other Drugs: Preventing Harmful Use Among Young People

People use substances for many reasons, including to feel good and have fun, or to feel or work better. Not all substance use is harmful. However, sometimes people who have experienced trauma, such as violence, abuse, neglect, and conflict, use substances to cope with those experiences.

A big part of prevention focuses on preventing negative experiences, called risk factors, that may cause someone to develop a problem with substance use later in life. Some risk factors include:

  • Trauma and negative experiences early in life
  • Chronic stress
  • Not feeling connected to family and peer groups
  • Easy access to alcohol and drugs

Prevention also works to protect people from developing a problem with substance use by promoting positive experiences and connections, called protective factors. Protective factors include:

  • Healthy ways to reduce stress
  • Safe spaces in a community
  • Positive relationships with family and friends
  • Physical and psychological safety

Strategies and Interventions

Prevention strategies help people of all ages stay healthy. Access to safe housing and neighborhoods, enough food, and community support, especially from young age, can help prevent problems with substance use.

Prevention work can happen in multiple spaces such as in the home, schools, and communities through health care, faith-based organizations, and other community-based organizations. The most successful prevention programs are not stigmatizing, are rooted in science and compassion, and reflect community values. Evidence has shown that prevention strategies based in fear do not reduce substance use.

Young People and Substance Use

Research has shown that the younger a person is when they begin using substances, the more likely they will have challenges with substance use as an adult.

To promote the long-term health of youth, it is important is to delay early substance use and reduce related harms. It is also important to recognize that young LGBTQ+ people face unique risk factors for early substance use including stigma and discrimination and use substances at higher rates compared to their straight and cisgender peers.

The resources below provide additional information and support to youth around preventing substance use:

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Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers are an important influence on a young person’s decision whether to use alcohol and other drugs. Talking to your child or teen about substance use from a young age sets expectations and can help them make safer and healthier choices.

Resources are available to support you in having conversations with your child about substances. Some recommendations include being open and honest, creating space for children and teens to come to you with their questions, looking for information together, basing information on facts, not fear, and setting clear expectations.

Changes in a child or teen’s physical health, social wellbeing, interest in activities, and mood may indicate that your child or teen needs support with their mental health or substance use. Early intervention and treatment can benefit children and teens who need more support.

The resources below can help you find specialized and appropriate treatment and support for your family.

Treatment Resources

  • NYC 988 Lifeline: For 24/7 support from staff trained to listen and refer New Yorkers to resources, call 988, text 988 or chat on the NYC988 Lifeline.
  • Find an OASAS Substance Use Disorder treatment provider or program using the OASAS Provider Directory.

Resources for Coalitions

A community coalition is a group of concerned citizens working to shift attitudes, norms, and stigma, around substance use and prevention. Coalitions use indirect, community-based prevention approaches to address the root causes of substance use. Find a coalition or support service near you through OASAS: Regional Support Services.

Coalitions often ground their work by conducting a community needs assessment and gathering data from various sources, including the below resources.

Resources for Community Based Organizations and Schools

Community-based organizations, schools, and other organizations that work with youth can help prevent or delay substance use through strategies based on scientific research. These strategies include using prevention interventions that can create a more supportive and healthier environment for youth.

Prevention resources include:

Additional Resources

More Information