COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 1

Collaborating with Policymakers to Strengthen 

Substance Misuse Prevention Programming

Preventing substance misuse is a complicated endeavor. To be most 

effective, prevention programs need to address the broader context in 

which misuse occurs. 

Affecting that context may require policy interventions such as laws, regulations, or ordinances 

that impact the supply of, demand for, or harm done by substances. In fact, some of the most 

successful prevention efforts have been policy changes. For example, increasing the minimum 

purchase age of alcohol from 18 to 21 was strongly associated with reduced rates of youth 

drinking, binge drinking, alcohol-impaired traffic accidents, and other consequences.

1

Policy changes are different than other types of 

prevention activities, in part because they require 

action by policymakers. Policymakers include a 

wide range of individuals across all levels and 

branches of government who have the authority 

to make policy decisions. Collaborating with 

policymakers can facilitate the development of 

policies that have the potential to prevent or 

reduce substance misuse and its consequences. 

This tool identifies the types of policymakers 

prevention might engage, explores potential goals 

that can be achieved through collaboration with 

this important group of stakeholders, offers 

examples of potential collaborations, and presents 

tips for collaborating effectively.

Bringing the Right 

Collaborators on Board

Examples of Policymakers

• State legislators

• Federal and state agency heads 

• School board members

• County board supervisors

• County executive officers

• State advisory panel members

• Congressional representatives

• Mayors 

• City council members

• Governors
COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 2

WHY COLLABORATE?

The goal of collaborating with policymakers is to inform their decision-making in ways that 

benefit substance misuse prevention efforts and improve the behavioral health of communities. 

Often, this can involve advocacy and education about prevention goals, needs, and best 

practices. Prevention professionals typically engage 

policymakers for three reasons: 

1. To advocate for policy change related to specific 

areas of need, such as restrictions on the sale of 

legal substances (for example, alcohol, tobacco, 

and vapes); increased funding for supportive 

employment programs; or school district 

requirements to offer social-emotional learning or 

multi-tiered systems of support. Prevention 

practitioners cannot encourage the passing of 

specific legislation (see Advocacy vs. Lobbying, 

below) but they can educate about the general 

need for policy change.

2. To build support for evidence-based substancemisuse-prevention programming. Sometimes 

referred to as promoting a “culture of prevention,” 

this involves educating policymakers on the value 

of prevention programming relative to other 

domains on the behavioral health care 

continuum.2 Such support can create a policy 

environment more conducive to expanding 

support (such as funding) for substance misuse 

prevention. It can also better ensure that 

prevention has “a seat at the table” in substance 

misuse-related policy discussions (for example, 

whether to include indicated prevention services 

in health insurance coverage expansions).

3. To obtain support for non-policy decisions in 

accordance with rules, regulations, or standards.

For example, a prevention coalition might need 

What Might Collaboration with 

Policymakers Look Like?

• Providing general education on 

the importance of prevention

• Providing information and data 

on the key substance use issues 

facing your community

• Explaining why and how current 

or pending policies might help 

or hinder prevention efforts

• Sharing data on association 

between current policies and 

substance misuse patterns

• Introducing ideas for new 

policies that could support 

prevention efforts

• Sharing outcomes from 

evaluations of current policy 

initiatives or suggesting 

improvements

• Requesting non-policy-related 

changes or actions that require 

policymaker authorization (for 

example, permission from the 

school board to hold an afterhours workplace prevention 

program for teachers
COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 3

permission from a local school board before installing prevention messaging campaign 

signs on school grounds.

WHAT MAKES COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS UNIQUE?

In some ways, collaborating with policymakers is the same as collaborating with any community 

partner. The choice of who to engage is determined by your outreach capacity and your 

assessment of who can help address your data-informed prevention goals. But collaborating with 

policymakers also differs in many ways from collaborating with other community partners. 

Consider that:

• Policymakers face competing demands on their time and often lack specialized knowledge 

about substance misuse. 

• Substance misuse, behavioral health, or health care, in general, may be only a small sliver 

of a policymaker’s focus.

• Policymakers often have expansive or total discretion in deciding whether to collaborate 

with—or even listen to—prevention professionals.

• Collaborating with policymakers can require understanding and following unique rules and 

laws (for example, to ensure that advocacy does not cross the line into lobbying or 

regulatory comments are submitted in appropriate formats).

• Many policymakers are removed from the implementation of their policy decisions and so 

may need to be informed about how their decisions might play out.

Because of their unique position, collaboration with policymakers is often less direct than other 

forms of collaboration. For example, it is more likely to focus on education (to inform decisions) 

rather than working together on concrete tasks such as participating in joint strategic planning or 

sharing resources for service delivery.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION BEFORE YOU BEGIN 

Preliminary planning is recommended before engaging in any prevention activity; collaborating 

with policymakers is no different. In fact, it is even more important than usual because 

policymakers have limited time to meet with any individual constituent or group.
COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 4

• Follow the principles of strategic planning. As 

with any partner, be strategic about how and 

why you engage policymakers. Collaborating 

with policymakers poses unique opportunities 

and challenges, but SAMHSA’s Strategic 

Prevention Framework is always the place to 

start.

• Know why you want to collaborate.3Use your 

needs assessment findings to identify your 

desired policy changes. Consider the unique 

powers of policymakers compared to other 

community partners and focus on those issues 

that other collaborations cannot address. For 

instance, policymakers can enact changes that 

address the root causes of substance use, such 

as expanding health insurance parity 

requirements.

• Don’t go it alone.4 Find other people (and 

organizations) in your community who share 

your specific policy goals. Work with them to 

establish a critical mass of support that will 

capture the attention of policymakers. Also 

identify any organizations or groups that might 

oppose your efforts; take time to address their 

concerns or be prepared to counter their 

arguments. 

• Be selective.

8 Policymakers have unique 

responsibilities, authorities, interests, and, in 

some cases, voting records. Do your 

background research and identify those 

policymakers most relevant to the topic you 

wish to address. Your goals should guide who 

you work with. For example, if you want to 

change county ordinances around the density 

of vaping retail outlets, you will want to work 

Advocacy vs. Lobbying

It is important for prevention 

professionals to understand the 

distinction between advocacy and 

lobbying.

Advocacy is a process to raise 

awareness and support for social 

or organizational change.5It often 

includes education about why and 

how an issue is important, as well 

as what evidence-based solutions 

exist to address it. Advocacy is a 

key component of collaboration 

with policymakers. It is one of the 

primary means of informing them 

about your needs and goals.

Advocacy is not lobbying. 

Lobbying involves taking a stance 

on specific legislation and 

encouraging elected officials to 

support or oppose it.6 There are 

many financial and regulatory 

restrictions related to lobbying. 

Prevention stakeholders should 

take care to distinguish between 

the two. Federal grantees may not 

use any grant funds for lobbying 

activities1 and nonprofit 

organizations risk losing their 

501©(3) status if a “substantial 

part” of their activities involve 

lobbying.7
COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 5

with the county board of supervisors, not a federal regulatory agency.

• Know your issues “inside and out.”9 Research any relevant context or history, and how

the issues impact various populations in the community, particularly those groups that

have been historically marginalized. Be prepared to respond to questions and

counterarguments.

As You Get Started 

When you begin to meet with policymakers, make sure you have a clear understanding of how 

you want the meeting to go and your desired next steps.

• Develop and practice an ‘elevator pitch.10 This is your “ask”— your five minutes to grab

the policymaker’s attention and describe what you need from them. Elevator pitches are

your foot in the door—the first step in a hopefully long and fruitful relationship.

• Create short and compelling handouts to leave behind (such as factsheets or

infographics) that summarize your key talking points.11 Share them in meetings and at

events. Offer to provide additional copies that policymakers can share with others.

• Be professional, courteous, and brief.12 Make your points respectfully and concisely.

Listen attentively and don’t dismiss concerns. Pay attention to everyone in attendance—

including policymakers’ staff. Staff play a core role in decision-making and often provide

recommendations to officials.

• Invite policymakers to prevention events.13 This allows policymakers to see your work in

action and connect with their constituents and other community partners. Make sure the

event runs smoothly and have a clear plan for how the policymaker will be involved. Take

photos and post them to social media.

• Decide what success looks like.14 It may take a long time, with numerous attempts, to see

your policy goals realized. So, think incremental. Acknowledge and track short-term

successes, such as the number of times you meet with policymakers, the number of

community events they attend, or even how many positive and friendly relationships you

developed with them.
COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 6

Remember!

Working with policymakers requires an understanding of specialized rules and concepts but the 

benefits are significant. Policies can have far-reaching effects, be relatively inexpensive and easy 

to sustain, and lead to substantial reductions in substance misuse—especially when consistent 

with other prevention strategies. Knowing when policy strategies are most appropriate, and how 

collaborating with policymakers is the same (and different!) from other prevention partners, will 

help to ensure that your policy efforts are successful.

RESOURCES

The resources listed below were developed by organizations that routinely engage in 

collaboration with policymakers. Though most are not focused on behavioral health directly, 

their guidance is relevant. This list is not comprehensive, and inclusion below is not an 

endorsement of any specific position or effort.

Community Toolbox: Advocating for Change

University of Kansas

Provides guidance for collaborating with policymaking via advocacy efforts. Part of the 

Community Toolbox series of resources to support community engagement and organizing.

Hosting a Site Visit for a Decisionmaker

National Parent Teacher Association

Provides guidance on hosting policymakers at your offices or service delivery locations.

Resources for Prevention Advocacy

Prevention Action Alliance

A repository of factsheets and tools for supporting substance use prevention-related advocacy.

State Advocacy Toolkit

American Dental Education Association

Provides guidance on developing relationships and collaborating with state legislators.

Successful Meetings with Legislators

National Health Care for the Homeless Council

Provides guidance on conducting meetings with legislators.
COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS | 7

REFERENCES

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Age 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age. 

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/minimum-legal-drinking-age.htm

2 Slobada, Z. & David, S. (2020). Commentary on the Culture of Prevention. Prevention Science 22, 84-90.

3 University of Kansas Community Toolbox (n/d). Conducting Advocacy Research. 

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/organizing-effective-advocacy

4 University of Kansas Community Toolbox (n/d). Developing a Plan for Advocacy. 

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/advocacy-principles/advocacy-plan/main

5 National Association of County and City Health Officials (2016). Building your advocacy toolbox: 

Advocacy vs lobbying. https://www.naccho.org/uploads/downloadable-resources/flyer_advocacyna16-002.pdf

6 HHS (2019). Federal restrictions on lobbying for HHS financial assistance 

recipients. https://www.hhs.gov/grants/grants/grants-policies-regulations/lobbyingrestrictions.html

7

IRS (n/d). Charities and nonprofits: Lobbying. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/lobbying

8 University of Kansas Community Toolbox (n/d). Providing Encouragement and Education. 

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/encouragement-education

9 American Bar Association (n/d). 10 Advocacy Tips 

https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/young_lawyers/initiatives/civic_en

gagement/10-advocacy-tips.pdf

10 Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (n/d). You Gotta Hear This! Developing an 

Effective Elevator Pitch. https://solutions.edc.org/sites/default/files/You-Gotta-Hear-This-ElevatorPitch.pdf

11 Ounce of Prevention (2009). Early Childhood Advocacy Toolkit 

https://www.startearly.org/app/uploads/pdf/EarlyChildhoodAdvocacyToolkit.pdf

12 American Bar Association (n/d). 10 Advocacy Tips 

https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/young_lawyers/initiatives/civic_en

gagement/10-advocacy-tips.pdf

13 Parent Teacher Association (n/d). Hosting a Site Visit for a Decision Maker. 

https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/advocacy-resources/Advocacy-Toolkit/Hosting-a-Site-Visit-fora-Member-of-Congress 

14 University of Kansas Community Toolbox (n/d). General Rules for Organizing for Legislative Advocacy. 

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/legislative-advocacy/main

SPTAC@edc.org | samhsa.gov/SPTAC