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Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month banner

Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month

October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month — and we invite you to tell your prevention story.

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!

2025 Toolkit

We invite individuals, families, schools, communities (and anyone!) to tell your prevention story.

Expand All | Collapse All

Use Key Messages: See the key messages (at the top of this webpage — and in the social media messages, below).

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

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

  • #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth
  • #PreventionMonth
  • #MyPreventionStory

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

Post on your social media channels.

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

Post Copy – All Platforms: October is #PreventionMonth! Get ready to download the toolkit at: www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month — and share your #MyPreventionStory. #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth

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  Before October: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 363 KB)

  Before October: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 349 KB)

Text that reads “October is... Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” Animation of a group of people. The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Post Copy – All Platforms: October is #PreventionMonth! Get ready to download the toolkit at: www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month — and share your #MyPreventionStory. #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth

Download & Share

  Before October: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 319 KB)

  Before October: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 207 KB)

Post on your social media channels.

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

Post Copy – All Platforms: It’s #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth! Download SAMHSA's toolkit and tell the good-news story of prevention: www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-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: Shout-out to Prevention Specialists and everyone who is saving lives! What’s your #MyPreventionStory? Visit: www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

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  Week 1: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 236 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 226 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/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 1: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 259 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 248 KB)

Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month.” An animated group of people. More text that reads,“Prevention promotes health, wellness, and well-being.” The 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/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 1: Graphic 4 with Logo (PNG | 152 KB)

  Week 1: Graphic 4 without Logo (PNG | 145 KB)

Post on your social media channels.

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

Post Copy – All Platforms: It’s #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth! Download SAMHSA's toolkit and share your #MyPreventionStory: www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-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)

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: Your voice has power. Share your #MyPreventionStory during #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth: www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #PreventionMonth

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  Week 2: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 294 KB)

  Week 2: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 284 KB)

Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” An animated group of people. More text that reads, “Substance use and misuse prevention …. strengthens protective factors ... reduces risk factors.” The 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/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth

Download & Share

  Week 2: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 288 KB)

  Week 2: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 278 KB)

Post on your social media channels.

Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” An animated group of people. More 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).” The 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 #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 3: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 212 KB)

  Week 3: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 201 KB)

Text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month,” above an animated group of people. More 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.” The 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/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 3: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 134 KB)

  Week 3: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 128 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/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 3: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 274 KB)

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

Post on your social media channels.

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 (October) and year-round, as partners in prevention! Visit: www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 4: Graphic 1 with Logo (PNG | 163 KB)

  Week 4: Graphic 1 without Logo (PNG | 156 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 #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 4: Graphic 2 with Logo (PNG | 186 KB)

  Week 4: Graphic 2 without Logo (PNG | 180 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 October! Visit: www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events #SubstanceUseAndMisusePreventionMonth #PreventionMonth #MyPreventionStory

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  Week 4: Graphic 3 with Logo (PNG | 163 KB)

  Week 4: Graphic 3 without Logo (PNG | 156 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 and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom in the middle.

Download & Share

  Post Graphic 1 with logo (PNG | 87 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 and Misuse 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 and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Download & Share

  Post Graphic 3 with logo (PNG | 469 KB)

  Post Graphic 3 without logo (PNG | 458 KB)

An animated group of people around a large banner with text that reads, “Substance Use and Misuse 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 | 280 KB)

Upload to your virtual meeting platform, as your background.

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

Download & Share

  Virtual Background 1 with Logo (PNG | 199 KB)

  Virtual Background 1 with QR (PNG | 199 KB)

  Virtual Background 1 with Logo & QR (PNG | 208 KB)

  Virtual Background 1 without Logo (PNG | 194 KB)

Text reads, “Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. Telling the Prevention Story.” The SAMHSA logo is at the bottom right.

Download & Share

  Virtual Background 2 with Logo (PNG | 148 KB)

  Virtual Background 2 with QR (PNG | 144 KB)

  Virtual Background 2 with Logo & QR (PNG | 159 KB)

  Virtual Background 2 without Logo (PNG | 134 KB)

These are the states and territories that have shared a link with SAMHSA:

Alabama

  • Prevention — Alabama Department of Mental Health

Alaska

Arkansas

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

  • Prevention — Iowa Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health

Kansas

Michigan

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

New Hampshire

New Mexico

  • A Dose of Reality – New Mexico Health Care Authority, Behavioral Health Services Division

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

  • Prevention – Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

  • Just Plain Killers – South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
  • Open Conversation SC – South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
  • SC Out of Their Hands – South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

South Dakota

Texas

Utah

  • Prevention – Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Washington

West Virginia

Text reads, “Events.”

Events

Join us at these virtual events:

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.
  • SAMHSA’s Prevention Day (February 2, 2026) ― Learn what’s new at this free event.
  • National Prevention Week (May 10-16, 2026) ― Showcase your prevention activities — with the help of SAMHSA’s toolkit.
  • Communities Talk ― Discover resources (including stipends) to plan a local event.

Prevention Planning

Training and Technical Assistance

Last Updated: 09/30/2025
Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=3a09c9a27c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_09_21_02_00&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-3a09c9a27c-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D