CADCA: Primary prevention workers need education, better pay, recognition

Abstract

Prevention in the substance use disorder area falls into two main categories: primary and secondary. Primary prevention means preventing substance use before it starts, and this is normally not stressed in education programs. CADCA, which specializes in primary prevention as an organization, would like to see more emphasis and a much larger investment in education, training and technical assistance, consultant Sue Thau told ADAW last week. In addition, prevention professionals need to be recognized “as being on a highly skilled career path, with expanded job opportunities and competitive wages.”