Substance Use Prevention News Post

Homecoming to Tailgates: Make Safe Driving Part of the Plan

Elizabeth Porter2026-10-08T15:50:54+00:00

October 08, 2026, Durham, NC – Fall brings plenty of reasons to celebrate. Homecoming dances, football games, tailgates, watch parties, and other gatherings bring teens, college students, families, and communities together. As people make plans for where they are going and who they will be with, there is another plan worth making ahead of time: How will everyone get home safely? Driving risks can increase when celebrations run late or involve alcohol or other substances. For young drivers in particular, the trip home may combine several risks at once, including limited driving experience, nighttime driving, fatigue, distractions, and other young passengers. [...]

Homecoming to Tailgates: Make Safe Driving Part of the PlanElizabeth Porter2026-10-08T15:50:54+00:00

What is Mindfulness and Why Does It Matter for Youth Today?

Elizabeth Porter2026-09-10T18:11:04+00:00

September 09, 2026, Durham, NC – Over the past several years, many adults who work with young people have noticed the same thing: today's youth are facing increasing stress and anxiety. Whether you are a teacher, youth program leader, counselor, coach, mentor, clinician, or parent, you may have seen children and teens struggle with worries, frustration, emotional outbursts, difficulty focusing, or feeling overwhelmed by everyday challenges. Many youth are navigating academic pressures, social media influences, family stress, and a constantly changing world, all while they are still learning how to understand and manage their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. As schools, [...]

What is Mindfulness and Why Does It Matter for Youth Today?Elizabeth Porter2026-09-10T18:11:04+00:00

iRT to Advance Media Ready Parent with Support from New NIH Grant

Elizabeth Porter2026-09-09T18:28:25+00:00

September 09, 2026, Durham, NC – Adolescents encounter messages about alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances across social media, entertainment, advertising, and other parts of their everyday media environment. These messages can shape what young people perceive as normal, healthy, popular, or safe, often at the same time they are beginning to make more independent decisions about their lives. Parents have an important opportunity to help their children navigate and understand the messages in the media environment. Conversations at home can encourage young people to question the messages they see, consider potential risks, and make healthier and safer decisions. However, knowing [...]

iRT to Advance Media Ready Parent with Support from New NIH GrantElizabeth Porter2026-09-09T18:28:25+00:00

Helping Schools Meet HB 959: Media Literacy Programs for Elementary Through High School

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC – As social media and digital platforms become a central part of young people’s lives, educators are tasked with helping students navigate online environments safely and responsibly. In response, North Carolina passed House Bill 959 (HB 959), which requires schools to provide instruction on social media literacy and responsible technology use. Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, public schools must provide instruction on social media literacy at multiple grade levels, once in elementary school, once in middle school, and twice in high school. The law outlines several topics that instruction should address, including but not [...]

Helping Schools Meet HB 959: Media Literacy Programs for Elementary Through High SchoolElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention Programs

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC – States, counties, and community organizations across the United States are receiving opioid settlement funds intended to address the long-term impacts of the opioid crisis. While many communities are investing these resources in treatment and recovery services, prevention remains a critical part of reducing future substance misuse. For organizations responsible for allocating opioid settlement funding, prevention programs that build knowledge, skills, and protective factors among youth can play an important role in addressing substance misuse before it begins. Evidence-based prevention programs implemented in schools, afterschool programs, and community organizations can help communities make strategic use [...]

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention ProgramsElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

Key Takeaways from the 2026 State of Tobacco Control Report

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:36:44+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC - Last month, the American Lung Association released its 2026 State of Tobacco Control report, which provides an annual assessment of tobacco control efforts across the United States. The report evaluates federal and state policies aimed at reducing tobacco use and assigns “grades” based on progress in key areas such as prevention programs, tobacco taxes, and smoke-free laws. This year’s report highlights both progress and concerning developments in the nation’s tobacco control landscape. How Has the Tobacco Control Landscape Changed? Several major changes to federal tobacco control programs occurred in 2025, which may have long-term [...]

Key Takeaways from the 2026 State of Tobacco Control ReportElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:36:44+00:00

Plan My Ride Could Protect Young People from Increased Risk of Unsafe Driving Around the Holidays

Elizabeth Porter2025-12-11T19:58:13+00:00

December 11, 2025, Durham, NC – At the end of the year, drivers are at a higher risk for unsafe driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports an uptick in the number of deaths from traffic accidents involving alcohol impairment and occurring in the evening hours during the month of December.1 Holiday parties and get-togethers at this time of year may be related to increased driving while impaired. In addition, fewer daylight hours may mean more drivers are on the road after dark. To protect themselves and others, drivers must have skills to avoid unsafe driving and understand the [...]

Plan My Ride Could Protect Young People from Increased Risk of Unsafe Driving Around the HolidaysElizabeth Porter2025-12-11T19:58:13+00:00

iRT Supports the Southeast PTTC in Enhancing Digital Training Tools for Substance Misuse Prevention Professionals

Elizabeth Porter2025-11-19T17:19:05+00:00

November 18, 2025, Durham, NC – This year, iRT has been collaborating with the Southeast Prevention Technology Transfer Center (Southeast PTTC) to support their efforts to advance substance misuse prevention. The Southeast PTTC, housed at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, is one of 10 regional centers that are part of the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network. The network was created to improve the implementation and delivery of evidence-based substance misuse prevention strategies across the nation. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Southeast PTTC offers training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse [...]

iRT Supports the Southeast PTTC in Enhancing Digital Training Tools for Substance Misuse Prevention ProfessionalsElizabeth Porter2025-11-19T17:19:05+00:00

Plan My Ride Found to Effectively Impact Safe Driving Attitudes, Knowledge, and Beliefs

Elizabeth Porter2025-10-20T19:38:14+00:00

October 20, 2025, Durham, NC – Distracted and impaired driving are two of the leading risk factors for vehicle crashes in the United States, and young people are at particularly high risk for engaging in these unsafe behaviors. iRT developed the Plan My Ride program with the goal of preventing distracted and impaired driving to support young drivers in staying safe on the road. A randomized controlled trial found that Plan My Ride is effective in improving young drivers’ attitudes and knowledge related to safe driving in the short- and longer-term. Findings from the evaluation were recently published in Transportation Research [...]

Plan My Ride Found to Effectively Impact Safe Driving Attitudes, Knowledge, and BeliefsElizabeth Porter2025-10-20T19:38:14+00:00

iRT and the Southeast PTTC to Host Webinar to Introduce New Curriculum on Policy for Prevention Providers

Elizabeth Porter2025-09-18T19:32:02+00:00

September 18, 2025, Durham, NC – This month, iRT and the Southeast Prevention Technology Transfer Center (Southeast PTTC) will host a live webinar to share information about the Southeast PTTC’s new curriculum for prevention professionals. The webinar, entitled The Power of Policy: Introduction to the Southeast PTTC Policy Curriculum, will be held on September 25, 2025 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. EST. The new curriculum will help prevention providers build their capacity to enact or modify state and local policies related to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other drugs. The curriculum is comprehensive and will offer diverse ways of gaining the knowledge [...]

iRT and the Southeast PTTC to Host Webinar to Introduce New Curriculum on Policy for Prevention ProvidersElizabeth Porter2025-09-18T19:32:02+00:00