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Substance Use Primary Prevention Month

We now celebrate Substance Use Primary Prevention Month in August. We invite you to tell your story — during Prevention Month and year-round.

To inspire action, each of us can share how prevention is improving lives in our community.

  • We aim to prevent substance use in the first place, prevent the progression of use (to a disorder), and prevent consequences associated with use. And we have the prevention playbook to do so.
  • Prevention science (with decades of research and community-based experience) shows that prevention works.
  • Prevention strengthens protective factors and reduces risk factors ― in individuals, families, schools, communities, and society.
  • Prevention helps us get ahead of substance use and mental health challenges — so that youth, families, and communities can thrive.

Prevention Month lifts up the national conversation — to showcase prevention’s positive effects on communities across the country.

Join us, as partners in prevention!

2026 Toolkit

We invite individuals, families, schools, workplaces, faith organizations, communities, states, tribes (and anyone!) to tell your prevention story.

  • Download and use this toolkit.
  • Share your #MyPreventionStory on social media.
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Use Key Messages: See the key messages (at the top of this webpage — and in the social media messages, below).

Resources: Promote our resources, as well as your own.

Use Hashtags: To help people find and follow the conversation, use:

  • #PreventionMonth
  • #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth
  • #MyPreventionStory

Tag SAMHSA: Please tag us in your social media — to show support and potentially be reposted.

Text that reads, “August is... Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” Animation of a group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: August is #PreventionMonth! Get ready to download the toolkit at: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month — and share your #MyPreventionStory. #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth

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  Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 362 KB)

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Text that reads “Text that reads, “August is... Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” Animation of a group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: August is #PreventionMonth! Get ready to download the toolkit at: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month — and share your #MyPreventionStory. #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth

Download & Share

  Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 213 KB)

  Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 200 KB)

Post on your social media channels.

Text that reads, Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. Animation of a group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: It’s #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth! Download SAMHSA's toolkit and share the good-news story of prevention: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 1: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 420 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 407 KB)

An animated group of people. Text reads “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. #MyPreventionStory.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: It’s #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth! Download SAMHSA's toolkit and share the good-news story of prevention: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 1: Animation with Logo (MP4 | 35 MB)

  Week 1: Animation without Logo (MP4 | 33 MB)

Text that reads, “Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. #MyPreventionStory.” An animated group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Shout-out to Prevention Specialists and everyone who is saving lives! What’s your #MyPreventionStory? Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 1: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 230 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 221 KB)

Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month.” An animated group of people. More text that reads, “Prevention aims to … prevent initiation of substance use … prevent progression of substance use (to a substance use disorder) … prevent consequences associated with substance use.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Prevention helps us get ahead of challenges. So that individuals, families, and communities can be healthy and thrive. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 1: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 256 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 246 KB)

Text that reads, Prevention promotes health and well-being. More text that reads, Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month with an animated group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom left.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Prevention builds resilience ― and helps youth, families, communities, and our nation thrive. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 1: Graphic 4 with Logo (PNG | 145 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 4 without Logo (PNG | 139 KB)

Text that reads, Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. Animation of a group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: It’s #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth! Download SAMHSA's toolkit and share your #MyPreventionStory: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #PreventionMonth

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  Week 2: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 420 KB)

  Week 2: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 407 KB)

Text that reads, Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. #MyPreventionStory. An animated group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Your voice has power. Share your #MyPreventionStory during #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #PreventionMonth

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  Week 2: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 288 KB)

  Week 2: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 279 KB)

Text that reads, “Substance use and misuse prevention: Strengthens protective factors; Reduces risk factors.” More text that reads, “Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story” with an animated group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Prevention works by strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors ― in individuals, families, schools, communities, society. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 2: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 278 KB)

  Week 2: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 264 KB)

Text that reads, Champions for Prevention with an animated group of people. More text that reads, Substance Abuse Primary Prevention Month. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom left.

Post Copy – All Platforms: To optimize the impact of substance use prevention, broaden the tent of partners: places of worship, law enforcement, business, agriculture, healthcare, mental health, young adults, youth, youth-serving organizations, & more. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 2: Graphic 4 with Logo (PNG | 173 KB)

  Week 2: Graphic 4 without Logo (PNG | 168 KB)

Text that reads, “Over three-quarters of youth don’t use substances. Most youth (age 12-17) have never used alcohol, nicotine, or illicit drugs in their lifetime. 79% have never had a drink of alcohol. 81% have never used tobacco or vaped nicotine. 76% have never used illicit drugs (such as marijuana). Source: 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (rounded to whole numbers).” More text that reads, “Substance use Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story” with an animated group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Do the youth in your community know that most of their peers don’t use substances? Learn about social norms: www.hidta.org/adapt/prevention-intervention-resource-center #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 3: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 208 KB)

  Week 3: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 197 KB)

Text that reads, “Prevention: Supports healthy social and emotional development; Supports parents and strengthens families; Prevents and addresses trauma; Expands evidence-based programs in communities and schools; Improves the safety, stability, and livability of community environments.” More text that reads, “Substance Use Primary Prevention Month” with an animated group of people. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Prevention works by strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors ― at multiple levels. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 3: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 132 KB)

  Week 3: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 125 KB)

Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” An animated group of people. More text that reads, “The earlier in life a person starts using alcohol or other drugs, the more likely they are to develop a substance use disorder.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Early prevention is critical. Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-month #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 3: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 270 KB)

  Week 3: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 264 KB)

Text that reads, Champions for Prevention: Faith-Based Organizations with an animated group of people. More text that reads, Substance Use Primary Prevention Month. SAMHSA logo is at the bottom left.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Places of worship can be powerful champions for substance use prevention. Learn more: www.samhsa.gov/communities/faith-based-community-engagement #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 3: Graphic 4 with Logo (PNG | 129 KB)

  Week 3: Graphic 4 without Logo (PNG | 124 KB)

Text that reads, “Join Us as Partners in Prevention. samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events.” Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” is at the bottom left, next to an animation of a group of people and the SAMHSA logo.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Join us, during #PreventionMonth (August) and year-round, as partners in prevention! Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-campaigns #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth

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  Week 4: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 158 KB)

  Week 4: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 151 KB)

A list of items, “FindSupport.gov. … FindTreatment.gov. … 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, chat 988Lifeline.org. … SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) … Substance Use, samhsa.gov/substance-use.” Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” is at the bottom left, next to an animation of a group of people and the SAMHSA logo.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life. Prevention can stop problems before they start. Find help: samhsa.gov/find-help #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 4: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 184 KB)

  Week 4: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 177 KB)

Text that reads, “Join Us as Partners in Prevention. samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events.” Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” is at the bottom left, next to an animation of a group of people and the SAMHSA logo.

Post Copy – All Platforms: Join us, as partners in prevention year-round ― and for #PreventionMonth next August! Visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-campaigns #SubstanceUsePrimaryPreventionMonth

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  Week 4: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 158 KB)

  Week 4: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 151 KB)

Update your website and e-newsletters — with these graphics. Feel free to brand with your organization’s logo.

Animation of a group of people in front of a large banner with text that reads, “Substance Use Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom in the middle.

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  Post Graphic 1 with logo (PNG | 88 KB)

  Post Graphic 1 without logo (PNG | 82 KB)

An animated group of people in front of a large banner with text that reads, “Substance Use Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom in the middle.

Download & Share

  Post Graphic 2 with logo (PNG | 74 KB)

  Post Graphic 2 without logo (PNG | 70 KB)

An animated group of people around a large banner with text that reads, “Substance Use Primary Prevention Month Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

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  Post Graphic 3 with logo (PNG | 74 KB)

  Post Graphic 3 without logo (PNG | 69 KB)

An animated group of people around a large banner with text that reads, “Substance Use Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Download & Share

  Post Graphic 4 with logo (PNG | 285 KB)

  Post Graphic 4 without logo (PNG | 279 KB)

Upload to your virtual meeting platform, as your background.

An animated group of people with text that reads, Substance Use Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

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  Virtual Background 1 with Logo (PNG | 195 KB)

  Virtual Background 1 with QR (PNG | 190 KB)

  Virtual Background 1 with Logo & QR (PNG | 205 KB)

  Virtual Background 1 without Logo (PNG | 180 KB)

Text reads, Substance Use Primary Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story. The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

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  Virtual Background 2 with Logo (PNG | 144 KB)

  Virtual Background 2 with QR (PNG | 140 KB)

  Virtual Background 2 with Logo & QR (PNG | 156 KB)

  Virtual Background 2 without Logo (PNG | 130 KB)

Learn More

Get Involved

  • “Talk. They Hear You.”® ― Helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage substance use.
    • Mobile app ― How to turn everyday situations into opportunities to talk with kids.
    • Screen4Success ― A 10-minute online screening tool to look for signs of risk in yourself, your child, or someone you care about — and find resources.
Group of people representing different professions. Text: Join us, as partners in prevention, year-round - and for Prevention Month in October!

Prevention 101

Watch video — on what prevention is, and why it’s critical.

Prevention Planning

Training and Technical Assistance

Last Updated: 08/13/2026
Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month