Why Primary Prevention Matters

Young people today are exposed to many different messages about substances like cannabis, vaping products, and alcohol. Social media, advertising, and peer influence can sometimes make these substances appear harmless or socially acceptable. However, learning the facts is important for making informed decisions. Because the brain continues to develop throughout adolescence, substance use can affect memory, attention, and emotional well-being.

Education helps youth understand the short- and long-term impacts of substances, recognize situations where they may feel pressured to use them, and learn strategies to make healthy choices.

Primary prevention aims to prevent the initiation of substance use, especially among youth. This stage is typically the most effective stage to intervene.

现今的青少年每天都接触到许多关于大麻、电子烟及酒精等物质的讯息。社群媒体、广告，以及同侪之间的影响，有时会让这些物质看起来无害，甚至像是被社会普遍接受的行为。然而，唯有了解正确的知识，才能帮助青少年做出明智的判断。由于大脑在整个青春期仍持续发育，使用这类物质可能影响记忆力、专注力，以及情绪健康。

透过教育宣导，青少年能够理解物质使用带来的短期与长期影响，学会辨识自己可能面临压力、被怂恿使用的情境，并掌握做出健康选择的方法。

及早预防，才是关键

及早預防，才是關鍵

現今的青少年每天都接觸到許多關於大麻、電子煙及酒精等物質的訊息。社群媒體、廣告，以及同儕之間的影響，有時會讓這些物質看起來無害，甚至像是被社會普遍接受的行為。然而，唯有了解正確的知識，才能幫助青少年做出明智的判斷。由於大腦在整個青春期仍持續發育，使用這類物質可能影響記憶力、專注力，以及情緒健康。

透過教育宣導，青少年能夠理解物質使用帶來的短期與長期影響，學會辨識自己可能面臨壓力、被慫恿使用的情境，並掌握做出健康選擇的方法。

What Community Coalitions Do

Community coalitions like Chinatown360 bring together partners from multiple sectors to address the local conditions that increase risk for youth substance use.