Connecticut's substance use primary prevention resource assessment and interactive map initiative

Connecticut consistently reports higher rates of alcohol and cannabis use than national averages. To inform equitable and data-driven prevention planning, this study assessed statewide substance use primary prevention resources and developed an interactive map to visualize and optimize prevention capacity across the state.

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Surveys of Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations (RBHAOs) and Local Prevention Councils (LPCs) assessed prevention strategies, funding sources, target populations, and implementation settings. Data were supplemented with web searches of public prevention resources and analyzed descriptively to identify geographic and community-type disparities. Findings informed the design of an interactive ArcGIS map to support planning and resource allocation.

Data were collected from all five RBHAOs and 81 % of LPCs, representing 78 % of Connecticut towns. Most towns (92 %) received LPC prevention funding, and 77 % reported at least one additional funding source. The most common prevention strategies were information dissemination (85 %), education (80 %), and social marketing (64 %), primarily implemented in community and school settings. Rural and eastern regions reported fewer prevention resources and lower participation rates.

Connecticut's prevention infrastructure employs a comprehensive, multi-strategy approach but shows regional disparities in funding and strategy implementation. The interactive prevention map provides an actionable and adaptable framework for other jurisdictions to assess, visualize, and strengthen substance use prevention systems using standardized, data-driven approaches. Because many existing efforts rely heavily on educational and informational strategies, which alone have limited capacity to produce sustained, population-level change, expanding systems-level and environmental prevention strategies is important for long-term impact and equity.