Current and Planned projects
Substance Abuse Prevention: State of the Profession
Substance Abuse Prevention: State of the Profession
Substance Abuse Prevention: State of the Profession
New Survey Now Available
Read more about our research below. The new survey to assess the current state of the profession can be accessed by scanning the QR code above.
In a world where we are constantly hearing about overdose, substance abuse disorders, and treatment options, it is easy to overlook the thousands of people in the nation who work in Substance Abuse Prevention. At all levels, from community volunteers and activists to professionals paid to work in the field, those who serve as a first line of defense against drug use in our communities are under stress. Many of our most dedicated professionals are leaving the field, leaving us, as a nation, at higher risk related to addiction and death.
We are starting work into examining the underlying causes that lead so many to leave the profession. The first step is data collection in order to try to understand why those who stay choose to do so, and why those who leave or are considering leaving felt compelled to go. A better understanding of underlying causes will help us find creative solutions to keep these front-line people engaged in protecting our communities.
We completed a preliminary survey in 2022 and are working on a report of the findings from that survey.
Look for our new survey coming later this year.
Defeating Stigma: We All Struggle Sometimes
Substance Abuse Prevention: State of the Profession
Substance Abuse Prevention: State of the Profession
Everyone struggles sometimes. For some, those struggles are financial. Others struggle under the strain of family function or dysfunction. Yet others struggle with mental health problems. Some struggle with addiction. For the latter two, there is so much stigma attached to the struggle that it often makes it difficult, sometimes impossible, to seek help.
As human beings, we need to be compassionate and caring instead of judgmental. Compassion will get us so much further to ending the stigma that leads to people not getting the care they need, and to the higher rates of death by suicide or overdose among those groups.
Our planned research seeks to address stigma, to help make avenues toward help more accessible, and to help ensure that the legal system does not become a replacement for medical care for those needing help.