A Division for Advancing Prevention & Treatment (ADAPT) provides substance use prevention Training and Technical Assistance to High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)

communities across the nation. The Prevention Post keeps HIDTA communities

up-to-date with the latest advances and opportunities in the field.

Hawaii HIDTA Hosts 2025 HIDTA Prevention Summit Watch Party & Training

This year, the Hawaii HIDTA team seized the opportunity to build a second day into their convening. They used this additional time to support participants in developing a personal strategy for how to implement what was learned from the Summit and receive additional training on what works (and doesn't) in substance use prevention.

Participant feedback spoke to the value of bringing prevention professionals together for this learning opportunity where they could expand their prevention knowledge, advance their plans for prevention, and connect with other prevention professionals.

6 HIDTAs Host 2-Day Youth Prevention Institutes in 2025

This year, 6 HIDTAs offered a FREE 2-day Youth Prevention Institute to orient participants to the science of relationships and how to connect with youth to boost protection, prevent risk, and cultivate overall well-being. For the majority of the HIDTAs (5 out of 6), this was their first youth-focused prevention institute. The 6 participating HIDTAs included:

• Oregon-Idaho (April 2025)
• Rocky Mountain (June 2025)
• New Mexico (July 2025)
• Appalachia (August 2025)
• Washington-Baltimore (September 2025)
• New England (September 2025)

These 6 institutes brought together 652 prevention professionals across the country for an in-person training to learn more about the science of relationships to promote youth well-being. Attendees came from 32 different states and 18 different HIDTA regions. This immersive training provided participants opportunities to learn to apply new approaches to cultivating protective beliefs in youth within the context of their trusted relationships with them. Ideas to support scaling this approach within organizations and systems were also shared.

Collectively, these institutes met their objectives of increasing participants’ knowledge of relationship science in prevention and youth wellbeing (91%), increasing their knowledge of evidence-based strategies to cultivate connection (93%), and increasing their confidence in their ability to connect with others (92%). Notably, 91% of respondents will change their approach to connecting with youth as a result of the training.

It was essential to each HIDTA that institute participants left with new knowledge and skills they found relevant to their work. 66% of participants indicated that more than half of the information presented was new to them. Preliminary two-month follow-up data indicate that the Institute participants:

• Improved knowledge, skills, or abilities needed to perform their job (100%)
• Used the knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired (100%)
• Improved their ability to facilitate connection, cultivate protective beliefs, and foster protective skills in youth (89%)
• Took steps at the organizational level to apply what was learned (68%)

The impact of the institutes will echo well beyond the participants themselves, with 95% of respondents expressing they intend to share this work with others, and many requesting resources to support them in doing so.

Participants expressed appreciation for exposure to a new way of thinking about the potential of relationships as mechanisms to support youth and the systems within which they reside to achieve the outcomes of prevention, protection, and flourishing. Participant comments included:

• "Connection and relationships are not soft skills, they're prevention, they're protective, and science backed."
• "It really synthesized so many paradigms and broke it all down to something understandable, doable, and useful. I had to really reflect a lot."
• "The youth panel reinforced how important youth mattering is- and that it’s the small details not grand gestures that make them feel seen and heard."
• "I love being able to break down these relationship components into the elements that make a difference."
• "The depth of this work is going to benefit us in so many ways!

Based on this overwhelmingly positive participant feedback, it’s clear the 2025 HIDTA Youth Prevention Institutes were a success!

Stay tuned, as additional Youth Prevention Institutes are being planned for 2026.

Happy 5th Birthday to ADAPT:

Five Years of Advancing Prevention Across HIDTA Communities

In 2025, the ADAPT team proudly marked five years of strengthening prevention within HIDTA communities. ADAPT was created with a clear purpose: to ensure that efforts to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations are complemented by evidence-based strategies that reduce demand, prevent substance use, and promote health and well-being.

Over the past five years, ADAPT has grown from a new division with an ambitious vision into a trusted national resource for HIDTA communities. ADAPT has worked alongside HIDTAs and their community partners, translating prevention science into practical action, building prevention infrastructure, and supporting partnerships that bridge public safety, public health, education, and community systems.

Five Years of Cumulative Impact

Since its official launch on April 27, 2020, ADAPT’s “small but mighty” team has made a substantial national impact. Over five years, ADAPT has responded to nearly 700 technical assistance requests and conducted 13 technical webinars, eight workshops, seven institutes, and five national summits, engaging more than 5,000 participants nationwide. In parallel, ADAPT has developed 12 prevention resources, guides, and toolkits to support comprehensive, evidence-based prevention practice.

• ADAPT’s Prevention Intervention Resource Center (PIRC) now houses four national prevention campaigns—along with a growing library of tools addressing topics such as resilience and prevention communications—and has been accessed more than 4,500 times.
• ADAPT’s YouTube channel further extends its reach, with 67 videos generating nearly 18,000 views, representing over 3,000 hours of watch time.

Perhaps most importantly, ADAPT has helped elevate prevention as an essential and credible component of the HIDTA mission. By grounding its work in prevention science and a steadfast commitment to the best available evidence, ADAPT has supported HIDTAs in building prevention infrastructures that are data-informed, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to local needs. In doing so, ADAPT has fostered a growing national network of prevention champions advancing innovative, collaborative approaches to reducing substance use and promoting youth well-being.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As ADAPT enters its sixth year, the future is bright. Plans for 2026 include new tools, expanded training opportunities, and deeper exploration of emerging science related to youth flourishing, relationships, and prevention across systems. ADAPT remains committed to walking alongside HIDTA communities, listening, learning, and responding to evolving needs, while continuing to strengthen the prevention and treatment contributions of the HIDTA program. Five years in, ADAPT is firmly rooted, growing steadily, and poised for continued impact. The ADAPT team looks forward to all that lies ahead and to continuing this important work together in 2026 and beyond.

Prevention Tip

The Power of Mattering

In his book, "The Power of Mattering", author and researcher Zach Mercurio draws out that humans have a fundamental need to feel seen, heard, and valued. He defines mattering as the experience of feeling significant, which comes from feeling valued and adding value.

In his keynote at the 2025 HIDTA Prevention Summit, Zach Mercurio highlighted research on youth mattering which shows the very real need for us to help young people believe "I matter.":

• 50% of youth in grades 6-12 said they didn't think anyone would notice if they were absent.
• Only 46% say they feel valued while 65% feel underappreciated and undervalued.

When youth don't feel they matter, they are more likely to experience behavioral changes such as withdrawal, emotional dysregulation, risk-taking, and a seeming lack of care. On the other hand, when they experience mattering, they develop stronger self-worth and self-belief, perform better, and show greater resilience against anxiety, depression, and stress.

This holiday season, we challenge you to cultivate the belief of "I matter." in youth and others around you, using these three ingredients of mattering:

• NOTICE: Truly see and hear the youth as they are.
• AFFIRM: Share with youth how their unique gifts have a unique impact.
• EXPRESS NEED: Show youth how they're relied on, indispensable, and essential.

Receive more guidance on how to apply these three critical mattering skills by watching Zach Mercurio's Keynote from the 2025 HIDTA Prevention Summit HERE.*

*Note: This recording is only available through January 15, 2026.

2025 HIDTA Prevention Summit: Impact and Outcomes

This year’s HIDTA Prevention Summit attracted nearly 2,000 registrants to learn strategies to mobilize their relationships with youth to achieve prevention, protection, and flourishing. With a focus on synthesizing and translating relationship science, the Summit equipped trusted adults with knowledge and tools to help them engage youth with intention by facilitating connection and cultivating protective beliefs and skills that prevent harmful behaviors and promote well-being.

Community, state, and national prevention experts and practitioners delivered presentations to strengthen understanding of several key topics based on relationship science, including:

• The importance of mattering and how to create a sense of mattering in others
• How to foster flourishing in youth, even amid adversity
• A “way of being” in relationships that enables well-being in youth by cultivating protective beliefs
• Ideas for how trusted adults in different roles (parents/caregivers, educators, law enforcement, and coalitions) can build and reinforce protective beliefs in youth
• The impact of connection within therapeutic relationships on substance use and mental health treatment process and outcomes
• Strategies for implementing connection-centered practices in organizational culture and systems

A new Toolkit was released!

Responses were overwhelmingly positive!

"The presenters thought enough of the attendees to pour into us as well, it came at a moment when I was about to walk away from prevention work due to lack of support, communication and leadership development from within my organization. I found the support I needed to continue the work at today’s summit. Everything about today-even the soothing voice of the presenters and moderators-was a healing balm.” 

- Participant testimonial

In case you missed the Summit, read a detailed account about the event and its impact HERE and visit our website to access Summit recordings and resources!

Launching a Health-Promoting Relationships Ambassador

Training Community

Following the 2025 HIDTA Prevention Summit, ADAPT launched a Health-Promoting Relationships (HPR) Ambassador Training Community for adults inspired to think deeply about some of the concepts and learn more about how to embody an intentional way of being in their relationships to promote youth well-being.

This way of being describes four intentional strategies used in HPR to prevent mental and behavioral health risks and promote flourishing by cultivating five core beliefs. 


These strategies are:

1. Create the environment
2. Facilitate connection
3. Engage micro-skills
4. Develop skills in youth

The best part of the HPR approach is that it costs absolutely nothing and can be done as an individual, team, organization, or community. It simply requires INTENTION to do it. (Fun fact: The word "intention" comes from the Latin word "intention" which means to stretch with purpose!)

Nearly 200 people immediately expressed interest in carrying HPR forward by signing up to serve as an HPR Ambassador, a representative and champion of HPR who inspires others to engage in a HPR way of being with youth through role modeling, conversations, and information & resource sharing to promote a culture of well-being. The HPR Ambassador Community meets twice monthly through March, and participants may join at any time.

Learn more about Health-Promoting Relationships HERE and feel free to join the training community by signing up HERE.

HIDTA Prevention Workforce Training

Nineteen HIDTAs sent prevention representatives to attend this year's HIDTA Prevention Workforce Training hosted by ADAPT and the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA in November 2025. Over the course of two days, participants worked to develop a starting point for a data-driven prevention work plan for their HIDTA. Participants engaged in several exercises: 1) gathering data from national, state, and other relevant data sets, 2) summarizing their unique prevention needs, and 3) synthesizing those needs with existing resources to identify possible priority areas of focus for their HIDTAs. They then practiced identifying the best available evidence to address those priorities and developing specific prevention activities they may want to implement in 2026. Participants also received training in relationship science for prevention and considerations for giving a presentation on evidence-based strategies.

The group had a significant amount of time to learn from each other, and will continue to do so through ongoing meetings in 2026. These meetings will be dedicated to staying abreast of the science, opportunities to share with and mentor each other, and generally unite HIDTA Prevention Representatives around a common prevention language and mindset as they continue to support their HIDTA’s prevention efforts.

Mark Your Calendars

Save the Date: 2026 SAMHSA Prevention Day

SAMHSA's 22^nd Prevention Day will bring together thousands of prevention practitioners, advocates, scientists, leaders, and consumers dedicated to advancing the prevention of substance use.

This year's Prevention Day will be held on February 2^nd in National Harbor, MD. The day-long event is free, but registration is required.

ORS Trends, Analysis, & Threats Webinars

To view subscription links to all previously listed resources in this section, such as substance use prevention newsletters, click HERE and scroll to GET CONNECTED. 

Rocky Mountain HIDTA Drug Information Opportunity Symposiums

Recognizing the importance of collaboration between public health and public safety, the four Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) teams in the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RM HIDTA)—Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and Colorado—implemented annual Drug Information Opportunity Symposiums (DIOS). These annual events are designed to bring partners together to share information, highlight effective strategies and strengthen relationships that help prevent overdoses and respond to emerging threats.

Since 2021, the RM HIDTA ORS teams have hosted 15 DIOS events across the region. Each year, the teams build on one another’s efforts by sharing lessons learned, refining agendas, and introducing new formats to strengthen engagement. This coordinated approach has improved facilitation, expanded reach, and ensured that each symposium offers practical, actionable takeaways.

DIOS events feature expert speakers and sessions on prevention, treatment and recovery, policy, and emerging drug trends. The events also highlight innovative state and local programs, connect participants with community resources, and include interactive components such as panel discussions, open Q&A sessions, and K-9 demonstrations to foster dialogue between public health and public safety. By rotating venues and offering virtual access, the teams have broadened participation across both rural and urban areas, attracting an average of 60–70 participants per event with a growing virtual audience.

Now in its fourth year as a coordinated four-state series, DIOS has become a cornerstone for regional partnership—strengthening relationships, increasing shared situational awareness, and fostering new opportunities for joint initiatives. Participant feedback highlights improved understanding between sectors, and annual briefings from task force commanders have provided valuable insights that inform local policy and practice. Together, the RM HIDTA ORS teams are building a more connected and coordinated approach to preventing overdose and expanding partnerships across the Rocky Mountain region.

If you are interested in learning more about these events, contact the RM HIDTA HERE.

ODMAP Updates

The Drug Checking Mapping and Reporting System in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

The Drug Checking Mapping and Reporting System (DCMARS) is a near real-time drug-checking data collection and visualization application that is implemented through the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). The layer and data collection tool was developed in collaboration with the City of Milwaukee Health Department through their 2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant, called the Milwaukee Drug Rapid-Testing and Outreach Program (MDROP). DCMARS is now up and running on ODMAP under the "Reports" tab at the top toolbar in ODMAP. Resources to support use of DCMARS include:

• DCMARS Training Manual
• DCMARS One Pager

Please note that the layer is currently only available in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. ODMAP is working on phase two of this project.

Statewide Legislation and New ODMAP Resources

• Nebraska recently launched an API (Application Programming Interface) to report suspected overdose data into ODMAP. Additionally, Illinois passed bill HB3645, mandating statewide ODMAP reporting for all EMS transport and related entities. The Governor signed the bill into law in August, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.

• The ODMAP Spotlight Series, which highlights organizations across the nation, includes a new Spotlight for the Nashville Metro Health Department. View the entire series HERE.

• An Agency Administrator video, which provides all key information related to ODMAP and getting started, is now available HERE.

For ongoing updates on ODMAP, their website is updated at the end of each month under their ‘Resources’ tab.

2023-2024 National Survey of Children's Health is Now Available

The 2023-2024 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) Combined Dataset is now available in the Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health led by The Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative! NSCH is a national survey, funded and directed by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau. It provides rich data on multiple intersecting aspects of children's health and well-being and produces national and state-level data on the physical and emotional health of children 0-17 years old in the United States. 

Learn more and access the data HERE.

Parents/Caregivers Make a Difference in Young People's Choice to Use Substances

A survey out of Utah highlights the importance of parents and caregivers in youth substance use. The number one reason youth reported choosing not to drink was their parents’ strong disapproval. The report recommends actions parents and caregivers can take to discuss substance use with their children include expressing their disapproval of use, teaching youth how to navigate risky situations (e.g., being offered or in an environment where substances are being used), and fostering a strong relationship by actively showing they are cared for (spending time together, talking about their goals, asking about their day, etc.).

Read more HERE.

The Prevention Path Forward

A four-part series published by Applied Prevention Science International “The Prevention Path Forward: What We Have Learned and What is Next” summarizes the progress made towards substance use prevention and treatment and identifies four major areas that require ongoing research.

Part one of the series can be found HERE.

2024 National Survey on Drug Use & Health Data Available

The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) out of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides key nation-wide insights into substance use and mental health patterns and trends in the United States. 23% of adolescents reported anxiety symptoms and 15.4% reported a major depressive episode in the past year. Adolescents with a major depressive episode or anxiety symptoms had a significantly higher prevalence of substance use. The most commonly used substances across age ranges were alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana, with nicotine vaping seeing the largest past year initiation.

Read the full report HERE.

2025 World Drug Report Released

The World Drug Report for 2025 was recently released. The Report examines drug market patterns and trends from around the world and aims to anticipate and address drug threats. Key findings and patterns are presented across different drugs (fentanyl, cannabis, etc.), and include examinations of drug demand, consequences, and drug policy updates.

The report is available HERE.

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Sincerely,

The ADAPT Team

https://www.hidta.org/adapt/

Emai us: adapt@wb.hidta.org