In 1999, substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals in our region suggested that community-based prevention could be strengthened by engaging and equipping community organizations not traditionally involved in prevention. The ASAP Center was born from this need.

Formed by The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, the ASAP Center brings state-of-the-art substance abuse prevention techniques and materials to nontraditional sources of prevention activities—groups like senior citizens clubs, community centers, civic and fraternal organizations, and congregations and other faith communities. These groups have the potential to change societal beliefs and actions toward alcohol and other drugs, but may not have the resources or knowledge to actively pursue prevention activities.

We work in an area surrounding Cincinnati, Ohio, that covers 20 counties in 3 states:

Guiding Principles of the ASAP Center

• Everyone has a role to play in preventing problems relating to alcohol and other drug use.
• Many more people would be involved if they knew how to do it effectively.
• There are evidence-based prevention best practices that can be incorporated into the activities of community organizations and individuals.
• Communities need prevention approaches that are sensitive to their needs, history, beliefs, and culture.
• Community members must be at the forefront of in planning and implementing prevention efforts for their community.
• Connecting community members with existing prevention resources is important for community efforts to be effective and continue over time.
• Collaborations including service providers and community organizations are essential to effective community-based prevention.
• The role of families and parents must be respected, appreciated, and encouraged.
• Prevention activities will evolve as a result of experience and emerging best practices.
• Prevention messages need to be simple, consistent, and research-based.
• Measuring progress is necessary to ensure the work continues to reflect these principles.

One way the ASAP Center is doing this is through Reviving the Human Spirit, a collaborative effort to increase the capacity of faith communities to effectively prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug problems among people they serve.

The ASAP Center also works with individuals and groups in the community who are working to prevent substance abuse in the Hispanic/Latino community through a group called Abriendo Puertas ("Opening Doors").