Prevention and broader social theory suggests that focusing solely on providing programs for individuals in the hopes that they will change their personal risk factors or behaviors is not enough. Only 30% of individual health outcomes can be linked to individual behaviors (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Other factors include social and economic factors, the physical environment and access to services. The community must be looked at systemically and as a whole to understand the root causes of substance abuse. ARP Prevention is working to achieve positive outcomes on the level of the individual, family, organization and community. Our goal is to facilitate thriving in each of these populations.

Community level work includes “environmental strategies” such as changing social norms, implementing and reinforcing laws and regulations and reducing availability of drugs.

If we have a drug problem in our community, what can we do?
Substance abuse is a systemic problem and the community as a whole must be engaged in reducing risk factors, increasing protective factors/assets and orienting the community to conditions of thriving. ARP Prevention professionals provide technical assistance and use the Strategic Prevention Framework as a model for how to work with a community that is ready to be engaged in dealing with substance abuse.

What kind of communities do you work with?
We work within neighborhoods, low income housing areas, cities, health service organizations, communities of interest/associations, and entire counties.


To speak with a Prevention professional about our Community programs, please call 828-254-2700 or 877 - 678-2696 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .