The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported a nationwide increase in illicit drug use across America’s youth in 2015—including prescription opioid, alcohol, tobacco use and abuse. This trend has only increased since 2016. In many cases, prevention could have saved individuals and their families from unfortunate emotional and physical hardship.
PORT Health Services Prevention staff utilizes strategies designed to keep individuals, families, groups and communities healthy and free from the problems related to alcohol and/or their drug use. We work to educate the general public of problems associated with substance use/abuse as well as the impact of substance use on the individual, family and community. Prevention services are provided free of charge in the community, schools and other settings and are targeted for people of all ages.
We speak to different groups that may face the risk of substance abuse disorder in our Universal (targets everyone), Selected (targets those in at-risk groups), and Indicated (targets at-risk individuals), although all aim to:
Universal programs offer an opportunity for all citizens to gain knowledge about substance use/abuse as well as a variety of other topics, such as decision making and goal setting.
Selected programs target groups that are exposed to factors that place them at a greater than average risk for problem behaviors. These programs are tailored to reduce identified risk factors and strengthen the individual's protective factors.
Indicated programs target groups that are exhibiting early signs of the problem behavior. These individuals are a risk for continued or increased problems.
