SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES ON THE WEB
For Parents and Communities

Substance abuse among youth remains a strong concern in the 21st century. Since 1975 the Monitoring the Future Study [http://monitoring thefuture.org/] funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse [http://www.nida.nih.gov] has collected data on alcohol and other drug use by high school and college students. Recent trends indicate that overall illicit drug use has continued to decline since 1997, although the use of sedatives, OxyContin, and inhalants among 12th graders showed some increase for 2005 (Monitoring the Future, 2006).

Parents and community workers who are concerned about substance abuse can now find information and tools online to help them better understand and deal with these issues. The websites listed below provide basic information, publications, and prevention program materials that can help parents and communities raise awareness and implement their own prevention activities.

GENERAL INFORMATION/RESEARCH

Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University
http://alcoholstudies.rutgers.edu/

• Information about library services, professional education, and publications on substance abuse research
• Database of over 80,000 references to research and educational materials on alcohol/drug use
• Special database of historical materials on alcohol use in America, the Temperance Movement, and National Prohibition
• Online fact sheets
• Links to other alcohol/drug databases, agencies and organizations

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

• Links to alcohol research databases
• Tables from epidemiological studies (consumption, cirrhosis mortality, traffic crashes, etc.)
• Full text of Alcohol Alert bulletins with focus on specific aspects of alcohol use/effects
• Online access to Alcohol Research and Health journal from 1994
• Catalog of research and educational materials, pamphlets, and fact sheets
• Descriptions of grant programs offered by NIAAA
• NIAAA press releases on various alcohol research topics
• Answers from NIAAA experts to questions frequently asked about alcohol and alcohol problems

Prevline: SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov

• Public service announcements and other media materials on substance abuse for communities to use
• Links to searchable databases with alcohol/drug scientific, educational, and prevention materials
• Statistics and research summaries of alcohol and drug use/abuse
• Catalog of print and audiovisual publications (all audiences)
• Conference calendar
• Links to other substance abuse websites, treatment facility locator, and self-help resources
• Multimedia section with webcasts, web chats, and PowerPoint presentations on substance abuse issues

PREVENTION/ADVOCACY RESOURCES

FACE Truth & Clarity on Alcohol
http://faceproject.org/

• Catalog of media materials (posters, videos, bookmarks, slide programs) and publications aimed at youth and community awareness
• Action kits, camera-ready art and other online tools for community programs
• Training programs on advocacy for community groups, campus leaders, and worksites

Join Together
http://www.jointogether.org/

• Daily news features on substance abuse
• Community coalition resources, policy reports and recommendations
• Grant announcements from federal agencies and non-profit foundations
• Information on key substance abuse issues including alcohol taxes, marketing, and legislation
• Resources to take action at the state level against substance abuse

Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free
http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org/

• Links to major statistical surveys on alcohol use including Monitoring the Future, and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health
• Prevention guide describing basic strategies for home, school, and community
• Links to online publications, prevention program information, federal agencies
• Outline of recent prevention-related legislation by state
• Searchable events calendar

National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of American (CADCA)
http://www.coalitioninstitute.org/

• Training and technical assistance for community anti-drug coalitions
• Materials available in Spanish

National Families in Action (NFIA)
http://www.nationalfamilies.org/

• Online selection of illustrated fact sheets on specific drugs
• Catalog of curriculum materials, books, and pamphlets (for
  students, educators, parents)
• Sections on drug prevention, drug legalization, state drug-related ballot initiatives
• Online newsletter
• Link to website with prevention information for parents

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Building Blocks for a Healthy Future
http://bblocks.samhsa.gov/

• For parents and caregivers of children ages 3-6
• Tips, activities, and information designed to help children learn how to make healthy choices regarding substance use/abuse
• Link to children's webpage with information designed for 3-6 year-olds

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free
http://family.samhsa.gov/

• Tips to help parents prevent alcohol/drug use in children 7-18 years of age
• Information on drugs of abuse
• Links to resources for further information or help with drug problems

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Model Programs Website
http://modelprograms.samhsa.gov/

• Descriptions of successful prevention programs, including evaluation and implementation
• Links to prevention and funding resources
• Online publications on model programs and science-based prevention practices

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Prevention Platform
http://preventionplatform.samhsa.gov/

• Prevention Readiness tool to help plan and implement successful programs
• Online toolkits,training materials and courses, and information resources covering all aspects of prevention planning, development, implementation, and evaluation
• Register online to save work from toolkits

CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION

Alcohol Screening.org
http://alcoholscreening.org/

• Online confidential screening tool to help assess personal alcohol use
• Searchable database of alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs
• Links to local self-help groups and online support communities
• Online publications on alcohol problems

Healthfinder
http://www.healthfinder.gov/

• Consumer health information covering a wide range of diseases and conditions, prevention and wellness, and alternative medicine
• Links to substance abuse publications in English and Spanish
• Special health topics categorized by target population groups
• Information on prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• Links to selected health-related websites

References:
Johnson, L.D., O'Malley, P.M., Bachman, J.G. and Schulenberg, J.E. (2006). Monitoring the Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use:Overview of Key Findings, 2005. (NIH Publication No. 06-5882. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse).

Center of Alcohol Studies Library
607 Allison Road,Piscataway, NJ 08854-8001
Telephone: (732)445-4442
Fax: (732)445-5499
8 2005

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