Prevention Research Briefs Header

These Prevention Research Briefs are part of a seven-issue series developed by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network Coordinating Office (NCO). They highlight current trends in substance use and their implications for the field of prevention.


Prevention: A Public Health Strategy for Affecting Change

Prevention is a public health strategy has been implemented for centuries. Whether to reduce the spread of disease or to mitigate the use of substances, educating the public on the dangers and potential negative outcomes of risky behaviors has become a mainstay of preventative actions. Educating…

A New Drug Epidemic Sweeping Across America: Xylazine's Horrifying Impact

Use of the veterinary drug xylazine is having a profound impact on the health of those who use illicit substances across the United States. Originally developed by the pharmaceutical company Bayer in 1962 as a large animal sedative containing a muscle relaxant with analgesic properties, xylazine…

Women and Opioid Use: The Missing Link in Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Women’s use and misuse of substances create unique challenges, especially in treatment and recovery from opioids. Medical research on substance use by women, along with other health-related concerns, is largely lacking, especially research specific to women and their physiological differences…