Prevention is part of a broader health promotion effort, based on the knowledge that addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic, and fatal disease. As such, it focuses on creating population level changes, within the cultural context, in order to reduce risks and strengthen ability to cope with adversity.

Building coordinated prevention efforts through collaboration with state agencies, community organizations, and special populations offers multiple strategies, provides multiple points of access, and allows for coordination to expand citizen participation in community activity as a most promising approach to preventing alcohol and other drug problems and youth related violence. A comprehensive approach to a particular problem or behavior is an effective way to achieve the desired permanent behavior or normative change.

Our prevention department works to create conditions for individuals, families, and communities where “bad” things are less likely to happen. Prevention is something that individuals must do on a daily basis in order to create conditions where bad things don’t occur. With regard to drug prevention, we create norms and policies to eliminate underage drinking or illegal drug use. Our Prevention programs are designed to do the following:

–  Create measurable changes in risk and/or protective factors of an identified target population

–  Use developmentally appropriate strategies (evidence-based) to impact risk factors or enhance protective factors

–  Support the work of anti-drug coalitions, community and neighborhood organizations, institutions, and citizens to address prevention at the community level

PREVENTION WORKS

Prevention is a proactive process designed to empower individuals and systems to meet the challenges of life events and transitions by creating and reinforcing conditions that promote health behaviors and lifestyles.

It is important for parents, teachers, clergy, community members, health practitioners, and peers to intervene early and with consistent messages such as:

–  No use of Alcohol under the age of 21

–  No use of Prescription Drugs unless by a doctor’s order

–  No use of Tobacco products because of their harmful chemicals that cause health issues

HELPLINES:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:   1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

AR Poison Control: 1-501-686-6161

CSI complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion or sex. For individuals with limited English proficiency or who need communications in an alternate format, translation or alternative formats will be made available free of charge.