Effective substance abuse prevention is a very worthwhile investment. Research has found that the savings per dollar spent on research-based substance abuse prevention can be substantial. According to the U.S. Center on Substance Abuse Prevention, it is estimated that for every $1 spent on prevention, $15 is saved in future societal costs (i.e., health care, crime and employment).
 
It can be proven that the level of community harm associated with substance abuse problems is inversely proportional to the number of people in that community who abuse substances. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University’s research has shown that
a child who reaches age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using drugs is virtually certain never to do so.

By providing effective prevention education, programs and information to communities, Prevention First effects change within communities providing healthy alternatives to using substances