Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 048 - Health, Department of › Sub-Agency 0018 - Community Program - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program › Chapter 8 - SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICE STANDARDS › Section 8-7 - Prevention

Current through July 13, 2024
(a) Prevention is the initial phase of an
				overall continuum of services consisting of prevention, intervention/treatment
				and continuing care. Prevention services are provided to the general public and
				to individuals in high risk groups who have not yet been identified as
				substance abusers. Prevention services provide opportunities by which
				individuals and groups acquire the knowledge and skills to promote optimal
				functioning and to avoid or protect themselves from the substances, conditions,
				or situations which are known to contribute to drug use, alcohol abuse, or
				other disruptive life events. Prevention services are planned and proactive,
				promote health and well-being, and reduce risk factors associated with alcohol
				and other drug abuse. Specific types of prevention services include:
(i) Information: Services which provide
				awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of alcohol and other drug use,
				abuse, and addiction and their effects on individuals, families, and
				communities. Information services provide knowledge and awareness of available
				prevention and treatment programs and services. Information programming
				includes such activities as appropriately targeted media campaigns, fliers,
				posters, brochures, or drug information seminars for youth, parents, and other
				target groups.
(ii) Education:
				Services that assist individuals to develop or improve their critical life
				skills. Critical life skills include decision making, peer resistance, coping
				with stress, problem solving, interpersonal and intra-personal communication,
				systematic thinking, and judgment abilities.
(iii) Alternatives: Services that provide
				challenging positive growth experiences in which people can develop
				self-discipline, confidence, personal awareness, selfreliance, and independence
				they need to become socially mature individuals. Alternative prevention
				programs are designed to provide positive alternatives to drug-taking behavior
				through a variety of community activities. The intention is that healthy
				activities will meet the need filled by alcohol and other drugs.
(iv) Community Coordination and Training:
				cooperative networking activities, action planning, and technical assistance
				provided to community individuals, groups, or agencies.
(v) Early Intervention: Services which focus
				on early detection and remedial action among persons who may be experiencing
				alcohol and other drug related problems and to refer them to appropriate
				services to prevent development of more serious problems. Services may include
				a variety of activities such as groups for high-risk youth, diversion classes,
				and student assistance programs.
(vi) Social Policy and Environmental Change:
				Services which establish or change written and unwritten community standards,
				codes, or attitudes thereby influencing alcohol and other drug use in the
				general population.