Each is designed to protect people from the adverse consequences of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug problems, depending on how far the problems have developed. This progressive array of nets represents prevention, intervention, and treatment. The first net represents prevention. The dictionary defines prevention as decisive counteraction to stop something from happening. We also know that prevention provides individuals with information and resources to raise their awareness of both risky and healthy behaviors, and helps shape environments to promote health and protect people from harm.
Intervention is the next safety net.
For youth, intervention targets those who have already begun to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, with the goal of preventing further use. Intervention may also be directed at youths who have not yet begun to use, but who are at greater risk for use because of environmental or other factors. For adults, intervention may target those who have begun to experience problems with alcohol or who are using other drugs. The goal is to stop use or, in some cases, reduce alcohol consumption to low risk levels, thus preventing the development of further alcohol-related problems. The third and final safety net is treatment for those who are experiencing alcohol, tobacco, or other drug problems.