Adolescence is a critical risk period for substance use initiation and adverse outcomes related to substance use, particularly as drug use has been found to escalate between ages 12 and 19. The goal of substance use prevention efforts is to prevent and/or delay the first use of substances. Research shows that early age of onset is an important predictor for the development of a substance use disorder later in life. Further, research shows that prevention interventions can have positive long-term effects in reducing substance use. Recognizing that preventing or delaying initiation of substance use can confer important health and social benefits, the purpose of the NCI is to serve as the training and technical assistance partner for DFC and non-DFC funded community coalitions across the country by enhancing the capacity of the prevention workforce and others in the prevention community to implement evidence-based interventions.
