Prevention is about helping people stay healthy, connected, and supported.
What is Prevention?
Prevention is taking steps to stop problems before they start—or to keep them from getting worse. It focuses on encouraging healthy choices, reducing risks, and ensuring people have the support they need so that individuals, families, and communities can thrive. At SAFE Project, we believe prevention saves lives. That’s why we use proven prevention strategies in all we do. We go beyond a simple “Just Say No” message and focus on a full approach—stopping problems before they start (primary prevention), responding early when concerns appear (secondary prevention), and reducing harm and improving quality of life (tertiary prevention). By working together with our partners and communities, we create real and lasting impact. Moving beyond a “Just Say No” approach, we embrace comprehensive strategies that incorporate primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention—both within our organization and in partnership with external stakeholders—creating meaningful impact together!
Prevention Starts With All of Us!
Different Types of Prevention
Primary
Preventing or delaying initial use through proactive measures.
Examples Include:
Education, early support, and health promotion.
Secondary
Early detection of, or reduction of, substance use.
Examples Include:
Screening, early intervention, reducing further use, and preventing high-risk use.
Tertiary
Reducing harm associated with use and improving quality of life.
Examples Include:
Harm reduction, treatment, and access for co-occurring healthcare.
Prevention Point Segments
Welcome to Prevention Point, SAFE Project’s new series focusing on the power of prevention. Every other week, we’ll share easy-to-understand information, education, and helpful resources that will help you support prevention efforts. We understand that prevention approaches look different for everyone and that one size does not fit all. These approaches are yours to choose. Our goal is to provide clear, practical, and helpful choices to help you understand and support the needs of you, your families, and your communities.
From Awareness to Action:
Prevention Points
Prevention is needed now more than ever as our world faces simultaneous epidemics around substance use, overdose, and mental health. Empowering prevention allies to join the charge is a crucial lifesaving step that begins with an understanding of what prevention is and what strategies are most effective.
Prevention Spotlights
Prevention Spotlight features highlight real-world examples of prevention in action, showcasing the work of partners who are making a difference every day. Through these stories, we celebrate innovative approaches, share best practices, and demonstrate the power of proactive prevention.
Promoting Prevention
Nina P.
Meet Nina, one of SAFE Project’s Youth VOICE Council members. Nina resides in Texas, with a passion for self-reflection and spreading the importance of taking care of your mental health. Check out her thoughts about how she uses prevention practices on a daily basis and leans on certain rituals to overcome challenges.
Feature Spotlight
Prevention Authors
Youth Authors & Illustrators Week Spotlights
Each year, we highlight authors and illustrators who promote prevention and resilience among our youth and young adults. Each author offers a unique perspective on the field of prevention and on the best approaches. In prevention work, facts and statistics are important – but they are rarely enough on their own to inspire change. Storytelling has the unique ability to move beyond information by creating common ground for human connection. Storytelling helps break the silence, foster connection, and develop coping and resiliency skills that buffer against risk.
Dr. Crystal Collier
2026 Author – Coming Soon!
Tabetha/Angie/Brooklyn
2026 Authors – Coming Soon!
Interview Archive
Simone Brown
2025 Author
Matt Bellace
2024 Author
Joseph Green
2024 Author
Rosi Greenberg
2024 Author
Webinars
At SAFE Project, we believe that prevention is more than a single campaign or initiative. We know that effective prevention is a proactive, ongoing process that requires year-round action by all of us. Our Prevention Perspectives webinars enhance impact by encouraging new perspectives, examining ways we can work together to reduce stigma, and maximizing innovative thinking and cross-sector collaboration.
Collaborations & Partnerships
Simply Neuroscience
Youth VOICE Council
Articles & Resources
Take the No Shame Pledge
Life’s A Party
Opioid Overdose Response Training
In the News
Every layer of society is a point of prevention, and every connection is a chance to heal.
Dr. Rahul Gupta