Substance abuse prevention programs focus on reducing the risk of substance use and addiction by addressing the root causes and educating individuals, families, and communities.
In Wayne County, Michigan, where a diverse population resides, the effects of substance use are deeply felt within the overall community. It can tear families apart, harm relationships, and limit opportunities for those affected.
LAHC (Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities) offers substance abuse programs and behavioral health services to help families and young people make informed decisions, navigate peer pressure, and learn coping strategies that support long-term health.
What is substance use prevention?
Substance use prevention is the practice of educating and empowering individuals—especially youth and families—to avoid using harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
It focuses on reducing the risk of addiction and substance-related harm by providing the tools and knowledge needed to make healthier choices.
Prevention programs go beyond simply telling teens to “just say no.” They teach life skills like resisting peer pressure, managing stress, and understanding the consequences of substance use.
Preventing substance use helps protect physical and mental health, maintain strong relationships, and build safer communities.
Prevention is about equipping young people with the confidence and resilience to navigate life’s challenges without turning to substances.
Why substance abuse prevention programs matter
Prevention is key to reducing the long-term impacts of substance use, including health issues, accidents, academic struggles, and legal problems.
Research shows that substance use often begins in adolescence, driven by factors like peer pressure, curiosity, or stress. Prevention programs help young people understand the risks and make informed decisions.
Substance use prevention is not just about health or legal consequences—it’s about fostering a positive future for individuals and communities.
Early intervention reduces the likelihood of addiction and helps create an environment where young people can thrive.
A mental health approach to prevention
Effective substance use prevention requires more than warnings about the dangers of drugs. It must address the root causes that lead people to use substances.
Low self-esteem, family challenges, exposure to violence, and lack of coping skills are all factors that increase the risk of substance use.
LAHC’s programs take a holistic approach by focusing on these underlying issues. Students learn to manage stress, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts healthily.
These life skills empower young people to face real-world challenges without turning to harmful substances.
LAHC’s substance use prevention programs
LAHC provides a range of substance abuse prevention programs designed to meet the specific needs of youth, parents, and the wider Wayne County community.
These initiatives encourage positive behavior, resilience, and responsibility, helping to strengthen families and support a healthier Dearborn and Wayne County.
Botvin LifeSkills Program
The Botvin LifeSkills Program uses research-based methods to address the root causes of substance use.
Rather than simply warning students, it teaches them to build self-confidence, communicate clearly, resist peer pressure, manage stress, and think critically.
Middle and high school students attend interactive 60-minute in-person or online sessions that connect lessons to real-life situations.
Youth Action Committee
Young people in Dearborn and Inkster, ages 12-17, can join the Youth Action Drug-Free Committee to help reduce substance use in their communities.
Committee members create social media campaigns, work on photo and video projects, and lead service activities.
This hands-on experience helps them develop leadership, teamwork, and outreach skills while making a meaningful impact.
Members also enjoy making new friends and sharing snacks as they learn to become effective community advocates and receive community service hours.
Nurturing Parenting Program
Prevention begins at home. The Nurturing Parenting Program helps parents create stable, loving family environments that reduce the likelihood of substance use.
Caregivers learn positive discipline techniques, better supervision methods, and how to recognize early warning signs of substance use in their children.
This family-centered, trauma-informed approach also addresses topics like managing emotions, understanding the opioid epidemic, and safe medication disposal.
With these tools, parents become confident role models who steer their families toward healthier choices.
As with all of our classes, this is a bilingual program. We have facilitators who present in both English and Arabic.
Safe medication disposal
Preventing substance abuse includes removing easy access to harmful medications.
LAHC educates community members on safely deactivating unused drugs with Deterra and Dispose RX bags.
Occasional medication take-back events ensure that expired or unnecessary medicine is properly discarded.
Families can feel more secure in their homes by keeping harmful substances out of reach.
Narcan training
Opioid overdoses are a pressing concern, but lives can be saved with timely intervention.
LAHC offers training on how to use Narcan (naloxone), a nasal spray that reverses the effects of opioid overdose when used correctly and quickly.
A Narcan Porch Box at 5275 Kenilworth St. in Dearborn provides free Narcan kits, fentanyl testing strips, and bilingual (Arabic/English) resources.
Community members who receive this training can become lifesavers, ready to help if someone shows signs of overdose.
Tobacco vendor education and the Synar program
Preventing youth tobacco use is another key step in substance abuse prevention.
LAHC works with vendors to enforce Synar laws, prohibiting selling tobacco products to anyone under 21. Through vendor training, businesses learn how to check IDs, understand the law, and display educational signage.
By making tobacco less accessible to teens, the community takes a direct step toward preventing long-term addiction.
Youth gambling prevention
Gambling may not involve substances, but it mimics many of the same behaviors and can lead to similar problems, such as financial struggles, relationship issues, and emotional distress.
The Stacked Deck program is an evidence-based curriculum designed to help teens and young adults recognize the risks of gambling and build the skills to avoid addiction, including coping mechanisms, financial literacy, and resisting peer pressure.
Through 5-6 engaging sessions, participants develop critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills while enjoying interactive activities like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.
Smoking cessation
Free local smoking cessation program that provides resources and support to individuals looking to quit smoking or using tobacco products.
They combine education and tools to help participants overcome nicotine dependence and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Alternative-to-suspension programs
Programs like INDEPTH and cannabis prevention programs are collaborative efforts between LAHC and local schools.
These programs are designed to educate and support students facing disciplinary actions for substance use violations, offering them constructive alternatives to punitive measures like suspension.
By partnering with schools, these initiatives provide accessible, impactful interventions that foster healthier decision-making and address underlying issues related to substance use.
How to get involved in LAHC’s substance abuse programs
Substance use prevention is a shared responsibility, and LAHC offers many ways for community members to get involved:
- Learn More: Visit our website to explore our programs.
- Reach Out: Call 313-846-8480 to speak with our team about available services.
- Stay Updated: Follow LAHC on Facebook for updates and resources.
Together, we can build a healthier, more supportive community where everyone has the tools to make positive choices.