Substance Use Prevention

Substance use prevention aims to prevent or delay the use of legal and illegal substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and opioids, as well as reduce the harms related to them.

What we do

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) works closely with community partners to promote substance use prevention to keep our communities, and the people who live in them, safe.

Youth prevention
Alcohol use and health

Youth prevention

Our staff partner with local law enforcement groups in schools and in local communities to offer educational programs and supports to youth and young adults to prevent substance use such as:

Weed Out the Risk

Weed Out the Risk (WOTR) is an interactive, harm reduction-based educational program that shows the risks of driving high or being a passenger in a vehicle with someone who is driving under the influence of cannabis.

Visit Weed Out the Risk’s website to learn more.

PreVenture

PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that uses personality-focused interventions to promote mental health and delay substance use among teens. PreVenture workshops are designed to promote mental well-being by helping adolescents learn adaptive coping skills, how to set long-term goals, and how to channel their personalities toward achieving their goals.

Visit Preventure’s website to learn more.

Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving

Learn more about our Tobacco and Vaping prevention programs by visiting our Tobacco and Vaping page.

Learn more about our Needle Exchange Program and Naloxone Training for partners by visiting our Harm Reduction page.

Learn more about our Tobacco and Vaping prevention programs by visiting our Tobacco and Vaping page.

Learn more about our Needle Exchange Program and Naloxone Training for partners by visiting our Harm Reduction page.

Alcohol use and health

Many people drink to celebrate, socialize, or relax, but it’s important to know that alcohol can negatively impact the health and the well-being of you and those around you. For more information about local alcohol use, the health risks of drinking, guidance on alcohol use, and what you can do to drink less, visit our Alcohol Use and Health page.