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Substance Use Prevention Resources for Youth and College Students

SAMHSA offers free, downloadable publications and tip sheets, as well as mobile apps for youth, teens, and young adults on topics such as substance misuse, common mental health conditions, and coping with disasters and other traumatic events.

Resources for Middle School Youth (Ages 10-13)

AlcoholFX Mobile App

AlcoholFX is a free, science-based app that teaches students ages 10 to 12 how alcohol can harm their brains if they drink. Based on lesson plans from SAMHSA’s Reach Out Now Initiative, the app can easily integrate with instruction in 5th- and 6th-grade classrooms.

Underage Drinking: Myths Versus Facts

This fact sheet, written specifically for preteens and teens, compares the myths with the facts about alcohol use and its effects.

Resources for High School Youth (Ages 14-18)

Prescription Drugs: They Can Help But Also Hurt: Not Worth the Risk

This brochure describes for teens the dangers of misusing prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. It lists warning signs of prescription drug misuse and offers advice on receiving help.

The Tips for Teens series educates teens about the dangers of drug use, including short- and long-term health risks and ways the drug affects the brain.

Underage Drinking: Myths Versus Facts

This fact sheet, written specifically for preteens and teens, compares the myths with the facts about alcohol use and its effects.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders: Get the Facts

This fact sheet offers young adults information on living with anxiety disorders. It discusses causes of anxiety disorders and approaches to treatment.

Understanding Depression: Get the Facts

This fact sheet offers young adults information on living with depression, including causes and approaches to treatment.

What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families

This brochure addresses concerns of children and family members of people living with substance use disorders.

Youth Engaged 4 Change

This website provides youth-focused resources and opportunities that inspire and empower young people to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them by improving their knowledge and leadership skills.

Resources for Young Adults and College Students

College Drinking: Prevention Perspectives: Embracing Culture and Context to Prevent Underage Drinking

This guide shows how HBCUs, as well as other institutions that primarily serve students from a distinct background, region, or culture, can create prevention strategies to meet the unique needs of those students.

College Drinking: Prevention Perspectives: Lessons Learned at Frostburg State University

This guide shows how Frostburg State University reduced underage and high-risk drinking among the student population and discusses how these strategies were implemented.

What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families

This brochure addresses concerns of children and family members of people living with substance use disorders.

Prescription Pain Medications: Know the Options. Get the Facts.

This series of 12 fact sheets is designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with prescription opioid use and misuse, educate young adults who are prescribed opioids for pain about the risks, and provide resources on methods for alternative pain management.

Prevent Unsafe Drinking Behaviors On Campus

This data visualization illustrates heavy alcohol use and binge drinking statistics amongst college-age youth to inform colleges and communities.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders: Get the Facts

This fact sheet offers young adults information on living with anxiety disorder. It discusses causes of anxiety disorder and approaches to treatment.

Understanding Depression: Get the Facts

This fact sheet offers young adults information on living with depression, including depression and approaches to treatment.

Tips for College Students: After a Disaster or Other Trauma (also available in Spanish)

This fact sheet helps college students cope with disasters and other traumatic events. It describes normal reactions to trauma and emphasizes the importance of talking about feelings.

What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families

This brochure addresses concerns of children and family members of people living with substance use disorders.

Youth Engaged 4 Change

This website provides youth-focused resources and opportunities that inspire and empower young people to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them by improving their knowledge and leadership skills.

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