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Every October, the nation comes together to observe Substance Use Prevention Month (SUPM). In a time when overdose rates are skyrocketing, SUPM is a crucial period that helps to raise awareness about substance use disorders (SUD). Moreover, a significant goal at Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) and nationwide is to promote prevention efforts.

According to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the following points are the focus of Substance Use Prevention Month in 2024. TTC is proud to be a Partner In Prevention with SAMHSA.

• Inspire action by showing how prevention can help local communities
• Use the SAMHSA prevention playbook to help prevent substance use
• Promote prevention science that shows that prevention efforts work in practice
• Strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors in society across the board
• Get ahead of substance use and mental health challenges so communities can thrive

Established in 2011 by President Obama, Substance Use Prevention Month remains an active response to the growing epidemic of drug and alcohol misuse. As the rate of drug overdoses continues to surge, there is nothing less than a public health crisis. Given the power of the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its street-level availability, the stakes are higher than ever before.

The Goal of Substance Use Prevention Month

Given the stakes, Substance Use Prevention Month aims to inform and empower individuals, families, and communities. Hence, the goal is to take proactive steps to prevent substance misuse. Moreover, SUPM emphasizes education, early intervention, and community collaboration as pivotal tools. With overdose deaths in the U.S. reaching record highs, surpassing 100,000 in a single year, the need for robust prevention programs is urgent.

At the heart of local prevention efforts is Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC). Hence, TTC serves its community in Los Angeles County by offering SUD Treatment and Prevention Services. The clinical team at TTC understands that while treatment is essential for those already struggling with SUD, prevention efforts protect the next generation. Therefore, the nonprofit organization works within schools, neighborhoods, and families to raise awareness. By educating about the dangers of substance misuse, particularly among vulnerable youth, TTC aims to save lives during Substance Use Prevention Month.

TTC and Comprehensive Outreach Programs

Beyond providing cutting-edge SUD treatment services for both adults and youth, Tarzana Treatment Centers engages in comprehensive outreach programs. Thus, the focus of these programs is the prevention of substance use before it escalates.

Moreover, TTC partners with local schools, offering educational seminars, workshops, and training for people in the community. Such initiatives emphasize the importance of early detection through healthy communication about the risks of drug and alcohol use. In addition, TTC’s Outreach Team provides youth with the tools they need to resist peer pressure.

Tarzana Treatment Centers amplifies its prevention efforts by participating in October’s Substance Use Prevention Month. We help to curb the tide of drug overdoses in the community. Moreover, TTC’s holistic approach, combining treatment with prevention, helps ensure that individuals recover from addiction and that others are protected from it in the first place. As the overdose crisis deepens, the role of prevention in saving lives becomes more critical, and TTC is on the front lines, leading the charge to make a difference.