There are numerous ways to make substance abuse prevention a priority in your faith community.

• Renew or establish a strong position statement and policies against illicit drug use - as well as underage alcohol and tobacco use. The position statement should acknowledge the risks - physical, social, legal, mental, financial and spiritual - associated with use.

• Take a public stand against drugs and make your position about drug prevention known! Announce it at local, state, regional and/or national meetings. Include it in your vision and expectation statements, new member classes, newsletters, bulletins and any other communication with members.

• Partner with community-based, private and nonprofit organizations that have substance abuse prevention programs. Organizations such as the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America can help you to identify resources, training and grant awards that augment programs already extended to fellow faith leaders.

• Collaborate with local seminaries, divinity schools and other religious institutions. Encourage them to include youth substance abuse prevention training and counseling into their curriculum. Consider teaming up with these institutions to identify opportunities for their students to work with your youth programs to do drug prevention counseling, presentations and workshops.