Santa Barbara County Alcohol & Drug Program (ADP) supports prevention strategies aimed at reducing and preventing the personal and social problems related to the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Prevention strategies provided in the county reflect a balance of services that are individually and community-based focused so that both the individual and the community are able to benefit from the reduction of the environmental and social risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

To help show the effectiveness of prevention in our community, prevention programs include the following criteria:

• Conduct needs assessments
  
  
• Develop measurable goals and objectives
  
  
• Research based
  
  
• Conduct on-going evaluations

The Santa Barbara County Alcohol and Drug Program and the Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Problems are committed to achieving the following impacts or changes in the community towards which countywide data will be collected and evaluated.

Alcohol and Drug Program Primary Prevention Objectives:

• Reduce DUI related fatalities and injuries.
  
  
• Reduce youth access and use of alcohol and other drugs.
  
  
• Reduce binge drinking.
  
  
• Increase the knowledge of AOD problems and the environments in which they occur.
  
  
• Increase community resiliency through the participation in community AOD coalitions.

Alcohol and Drug Program Secondary Prevention Objectives:

• Increase the resiliency of high-risk youth and families through the establishment of meaningful relationships with adult mentors.
  
  
• Reduce the number of youth who use or abuse substances.
  
  
• Reduce the occurrence of risk taking behavior among youth.