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Substance Use Prevention Month 2025

October is National Substance Use Prevention Month, first recognized in 2011 to honor the power of prevention and the people behind it. 

This month is a time to: 

  • Shine a light on prevention as a key part of individual and community well-being 
  • Honor lives lost to substance use and the families forever impacted 
  • Celebrate those in recovery and the loved ones who support them 
  • Raise awareness that early use of substances like tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs increases the risk of a substance use disorder 

 

Whether you’re a prevention professional, a youth advocate, or someone with a personal story, your voice matters. Together, we build healthier communities; one story, one action at a time. 

Recent data

The 2024 “Monitoring the Future” national survey provides the following information: 

Abstention from drug use (defined as no past 30-day use of alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine by vaping or cigarettes) reached the highest levels recorded since tracking began in 2017. Reported abstention rates in 2024 were 90% for 8th graders (up from 87% in 2017), 80% for 10th graders (up from 69% in 2017), and 67% for 12th graders (up from 53% in 2017). Increases from 2023 to 2024 were statistically significant for 10th and 12th grades. 

Nicotine pouch use (e.g., “Zyn”) showed notable increases. Past 12-month use in 2024 doubled among 12th graders (from 3% to 6%) and rose among 10th graders (from 2% to 3%). Prevalence remained steady at less than 1% in 8th grade. Although still relatively low compared to nicotine vaping (21% in 12th grade), pouch use has drawn concern due to its potential for rapid growth. 

Alcohol use continued its long-term decline. In 2024, 42% of 12th graders, 26% of 10th graders, and 13% of 8th graders reported any alcohol use in the past year, compared with 75%, 65%, and 46% in 1997, respectively. 

Marijuana use remained at historically low levels. Past 12-month use in 2024 was 26% for 12th graders, 16% for 10th graders, and 7% for 8th graders. These represent the lowest levels in decades, following declines that began after the pandemic onset in 2020. 

Nicotine vaping continued to decline from its peak in 2019–2020. In 2024, past 12-month use was reported by 21% of 12th graders, 15% of 10th graders, and 10% of 8th graders, compared with 35%, 31%, and 17% in 2020, respectively. Current levels are close to those seen in 2017, the first year the survey tracked vaping. 

KCTC Student Survey Data

KCTC Student Survey data indicated decreasing prevalence of regular substance use among youth in recent history, as evidenced among surveyed 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in Kansas reporting: 

  • Past 30-day alcohol use has remained stable from 7.49% in 2024 to 6.96% in 2025 
  • Past 30-day use of vaping has remained stable from 5.22% in 2024 to 4.85% in 2025 
  • Past 30-day use of marijuana has remained stable from 3.18% in 2024 to 2.61% in 2025 
  • Past 30-day use of methamphetamines has remained stable from 0.33% in 2024 to 0.35% in 2025

Get involved

Do you want to win a KPC t-shirt? Now’s your chance!
This October, celebrate Substance Use Prevention Month with the Kansas Prevention Collaborative by completing fun and meaningful activities that promote prevention in your community.

A limited number of t-shirts are available to participants who complete at least five activities, including two required ones one required activity. 

Required Activities – You must complete both of the following:

  • Attend the KPC Conference – October 16–17, 2025
    • This is where you’ll pick up your shirt!
  • Share your Prevention Story
    • Record a short video or include pictures answering the question: “What is your prevention story?”
    • Send it to Abbi at abbi.wend@wichita.edu or (316)712-8638 by September 30.

How to Participate:

  • Download and print the Substance Use Prevention Month Activities page.
    • Only printed pages will be accepted for prize eligibility.
  • Complete at least 5 activities, including the 2 required ones attending the conference.
    • You can choose any 3 additional activities from the activities page; more is better!
  • Turn in your completed activities page at the KDADS exhibitor booth during the KPC Conference on Friday, October 17.
    • Be present at the conference to receive your t-shirt
    • T-shirts are first-come, first-served, and sizes are limited


Employees of KDADS and partners of the KPC (DCCCA, Greenbush, KU, and WSU) are not eligible to win a t-shirt but are still encouraged to participate and share their prevention stories!

Download Activities sheet here

Conference Video Information

Share your prevention story for the big screen at the conference!

Help us celebrate Substance Use Prevention Month by sharing your personal or organizational prevention story!
This is one of the two required activities to earn a KPC t-shirt. 

  • Record a short video (about 30 seconds) answering the question: 
    “What is your prevention story?” 
    Share why prevention is meaningful to you. Why do you do this work? 
  • Not comfortable on camera? 
    No problem! You can send photos of your coalition or organization’s prevention efforts along with a few sentences answering the question instead. 
  • Record solo, with a colleague, or your whole team! 
  • Ask youth in your program to record a video for you. 
  • Show your personality and passion—this is your story! 
  • Record horizontally (landscape mode). 
  • Choose a quiet location with good lighting. 
  • Keep it short and authentic; around 30 seconds is perfect. 
  • Send your video or photos to abbi.wend@wichita.edu or (316) 712-8628 by the end of the day  September 30. 
  • Include your name and title as you’d like it to appear on screen. 
Prize FAQs

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