Integrating Supply and Demand Reduction Strategies for Drug Abuse Prevention

Abstract

Historically, demand and supply reduction approaches to the prevention and control of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug abuse have been treated as independent efforts in the United States, vying for public attention and funding. Separate reviews of research suggest that the more effective components of each approach can reduce potential drug use by 20% to 40% for 3 years and sometimes longer. Review of theories relevant to behavior change suggest that integrating the two approaches could increase this proportion to 40% to 50% for longer periods by synergistically affecting community anti-drug use norms and compliance. This article briefly reviews demand and supply reduction approaches to drug abuse prevention and presents hypothetical models of change in drug use behavior based on program and policy interventions that are introduced sequentially into communities.