We all use information in studying problems and in deciding how to go about solving them. Prevention practitioners have the option of collecting their own data or using existing State or national data. Collecting State and local data can provide more specific information of the type desired for the specific population. However, often information already collected at the national level is close enough to what is needed, and doesn't cost anything to use. Certain national-level information may be quite useful locally.
National data are generally adequate when a rough idea of levels and rank order of use are needed.
While the numbers may vary from one part of the country to another, we know that alcohol and cigarettes are the prevailing problems among young people. If national data doesn't provide enough detail to meet local needs for program planning and assessment, then local surveys using national questionnaires can be conducted to capture more specific information. Specific questions to examine local concerns can be added to a national survey instrument. Three routinely-conducted national surveys provide the most of the epidemiological basis for Federal decisionmaking. Every spring, a large group of high school seniors and smaller groups of 8th and 10th graders are surveyed in schools on a wide range of substance use issues.