Substance use prevention starts with understanding available substances and potential misuse. We have provided resources to help build awareness and understanding of available substances (illicit and prescribed), the impact on the human body, and dangers associated with use. Review this information for your own knowledge and/or to have open and honest conversations with loved ones about the impact of substance use and substance use disorders.
In addition to the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs, there are dangers with how drugs and substances are taken (e.g. used syringes), unknown or unidentified ingredients in substances (e.g. fentanyl), and how the body responds after a substance is taken (e.g. impaired driving).
Overview of Available Substances:
Please note that the list of available drugs is consistently changing, and substance prevalence varies by geographical location.
- Commonly Used Drugs Charts, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Dose of Reality, Preventing Prescription Painkiller Abuse in Florida
- Facing Addiction in America, U.S. Surgeon General
- Get Smart About Drugs, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- Prevention and Early Action, Partnership to End Addiction, drugfree.org
- Recursos en Español, Partnership to End Addiction, drugfree.org
Parent, Family, and Caregiver Resources:
- Information for Parents with Teens (ages 12-19), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Parents & Educators, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Parent & Caregiver Resources, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) [En español]
- Prevention Tips for Every Age, Partnership to End Addiction [En español]
- Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Screen4Success, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), download the app that guides caregiver conversations
- Sound It Out (uses music and lyric development as a methodology for parents and caregivers to explore and support youth emotional and mental wellbeing)
- Substance Use in Adolescence, Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Talking to Teens Webinar, Learn How to Navigate Conversations with Youth about Substance Use
- The Facts. The Future.
- Tools for Younger Children, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [En español]
- Tools for Youth and Teens, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [En español]
Youth Resources:
- Just Think Twice, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- Stop Overdose, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- SWAT Florida (youth-led tobacco use prevention)
- Facts About Teen Drinking, NIAAA
College & University Resources:
- Addiction Recovery During Higher Education, Intelligent.com
- Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE)
Substance Information, by Type:
Alcohol
- Alcohol Topics A to Z, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Cannabis (Marijuana)
- Cannabis (Marijuana) Drug Facts, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Know the Risks of Marijuana, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Depressants
Depressants are labeled with various names and often prescribed to treat disorders. Take any prescribed medication as instructed by medical providers and pharmacists. At times, depressants are misused or taken illegally and can dependence.
- Depressants Drug Fact Sheet, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- Xylazine, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
Hallucinogens, Psychedelic, and Dissociative Substances
This category is divided into hallucinogens (LSD, Peyote, etc.) and dissociative drugs (PCP, Ketamine, Salvia, etc.).
- Hallucinogens Drug Facts, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) Drug Facts, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
Opioids
Opioids can be obtained illegally or prescribed, and both types can lead to a substance use disorder. It is important to be aware of the impact of prescribed drugs on your body.
- Fentanyl Drug Facts, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Florida Public Health and Safety Alert: Fentanyl Overdoses
- Heroin Drug Facts, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Kratom, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Opioids, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Opioid and Heroin Addiction, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
- One Pill Can Kill, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Florida’s One Pill Can Kill
- What are Opioids?, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Stimulants
- Cocaine, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
- Know the Risks of Meth, SAMHSA
- Methamphetamine, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
Tobacco and Vaping
- Electronic Cigarettes, CDC
- Heated Tobacco Products, CDC
- Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [En español]
Xylazine
- Xylazine Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- What You Should Know about Xylazine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
One Voice for Volusia does not endorse these organizations and instead shares the information and content as educational tools for our community members.