Tips and Resources

Tips and Resources for a Successful Communities Talk Activity

There are many tools, insights, and resources available to help you identify and meet your prevention goals.

Planning Process

Click on the links below to find resources related to each step of the planning process.

• Assessment resources to define the substance use and misuse problems among youth and young adults and a community’s needs, capacity, and readiness to respond;
• Planning resources to meet the goals and objectives identified in the assessment phase;
• Promotion resources to attract an audience and increase community awareness; and
• Evaluation resources to determine if the Communities Talk activity was effective as a catalyst for change.

Top Planning Resources

Need Help Organizing Your Next Communities Talk Event?

To help you plan and track your event, we’ve created a web app that includes resources and event management tools that enable you to succeed. Try our new EVENT PLANNER today.

• Need more help getting started? Read the Quick Start Planning Guide
• Tips and Tools for Hosting a Virtual Activity
• Tips and Tools for Engaging the News Media
• Using Social Media: Sample Content and Guide
• Using Social Media: Facebook Messages
• Using Social Media: X (formerly known as Twitter) Messages
• Using Social Media: Instagram
• Customizable resources for Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse activity implementation and promotion
• Graphics: Visit the Prevention Graphics Gallery to download and share graphics about alcohol and other drug misuse prevention.

Top Resources for Prevention

Consider using these resources as part of your Communities Talk activity:

• Helping Girls and Young Women Stay Healthy by Avoiding Alcohol (PDF| 2.12 MB)
• Data Visualization Videos
  • Getting Ahead of a Problem Video (0:43)
  • Be Prepared to Have the Difficult Conversation Video (0:43)
  • Prevent Unsafe Drinking Behaviors On Campus Video (0:39)
• The College Drinking: Prevention Perspectives video series and discussion guides showcase underage drinking prevention strategies on and around college campuses across the nation.
• Episode 1: Lessons Learned at Frostburg State University (video) and discussion guide.
• Episode 2: Embracing Culture & Context to Prevent Underage Drinking (video) and discussion guide.
• Factsheet on Underage Drinking (English) (PDF | 237KB) / Consumo de alcohol por menores de edad (en español) (PDF | 4.2 MB)
• Factsheet on College Student Drinking (English) (PDF | 207KB) / Consumo de alcohol por estudiantes universitarios (en español) (PDF |2.4 MB)
• SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You. campaign, which includes parent resources, educator resources, and a mobile app.
• The Sound of Your Voice video and guide for parents of college-bound young adults.
• Myths vs. Facts brochure / Mitos versus hechos (en español) (PDF | 2.8 MB)

Looking for additional prevention resources? Be sure to check the SAMHSA Store.

Resources for Colleges and Universities

Resources to Engage Youth