Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention

ASAP is Community

Creating environments that support healthy life decisions

ASAP is Prevention

Increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors

ASAP is Collaboration

Strengthening partnerships and community resources

ASAP is Awareness

Promoting community awareness of healthy life decisions

ASAP is Healthy Choices

Developing youth and young adult leadership

Vision Statement:

“United for a Healthy Community”

Mission Statement:

To build and strengthen the capacity of our community to promote healthy life decisions.

Purpose:

We exist to support our communities to value youth and young adults and create environments that encourage healthy life decisions.

College Students and Substance Abuse

College students are using drugs and alcohol at a higher rate than young adults of the same age who don’t attend school. A recent study from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that more than half of full-time college students ages 18-22 drank alcohol in the past month. Another survey performed by Monitoring the Future revealed that nearly 45% of college students have used an illicit drug.

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Common Questions

Does prevention even work?

Prevention and early intervention strategies can reduce the impact of substance use and mental disorders in America’s communities. Money spent up front on prevention saves dollars for communities when money has to pay for the effects of social problems, interventions and treatment down the road.

How do you do it?

Concerned community members come together as a coalition to discuss current issues, brainstorm solutions, work together to solve issues, create healthier communities, and achieve common goals. ASAP was founded as a community coalition. To learn more about Coalitions go to What is a Coalition?

How can I learn more about the issues?

Teens and young adults today face different issues than their parents did back in the day. Things are changing constantly, and the impacts of COVID are barely beginning to be understood. Learn more about various Drug Facts and important Sexual Health information.

Are there resources that can help me?

Yes, Rapid City has a lot of fantastic Local Resources to help us all become a healthier community. Additionally, we have compiled a list of other great National Resources that might help.

Does ASAP do any projects of their own?

Yes, ASAP is directly involved with a number of specific prevention projects, mostly targeting college-aged young adults. Go to What We Do on the menu above to see a list of current projects and learn more about each one.

How can I get in touch with ASAP?

If you are interested in joining the coalition’s efforts, getting your questions answered, or having someone come speak to your group, we’re happy to help! Go to our Contact page to see all of the ways to reach us.