Moving from programs to public policy in community-based substance abuse prevention

In a time where substance abuse prevention resources are limited, it is critical for community-based organizations (CBOs) to make their presence known in their communities. Community-based substance abuse programs (CBSAPs) may choose to accomplish this by informing policymakers through strategic communications about program accomplishments and effectiveness. Communicating the value of these programs and including decision makers in the program planning will strengthen the longevity and future sustainability of CBSAPs' missions. This type of coalition building will also increase program participation. Understanding the effectiveness of CBSAPs requires evidence that program models work and knowledge of the local, state and federal policies to which the programs pertain. Although CBOs recognize that policy can improve the sustainability of their substance abuse prevention programs, they often do not have sufficient understanding of the policy process. Also, CBOs seem to share the belief that they do not have time to influence policy. This presentation will highlight three key steps in creating an informed, policy-focused, CBSAP communication campaign including: 1) understanding your policy environment; 2) collecting the right qualitative and quantitative data about your program; and 3) using your program's performance measures to present your distinguished achievements in a user-friendly format. Our analysis will also provide a review of current community-level communication campaigns that have influenced substance abuse prevention policy.