Given the range of factors that influence the development of drug use behaviour and related harms, there are
many that can be addressed at the community level.
The array of prevention strategies might seem complex and there might be many other agencies or groups
working in the same or overlapping areas. However, a decision to get involved in community drug prevention
brings with it the need to plan effectively and work with others.
Acting without an awareness of the likely result and how this might interact with what others are doing can
potentially make matters worse.
3.1 Planning principles
Adopting some basic principles to planning can overcome some of the complexity and provide a useful starting
point in communicating and working with other groups.
The following principles are adapted from Local government reducing harm from alcohol consumption
(Dibley, 2007). These principles support an integrated planning approach that will assist stakeholders to work
collaboratively to identify shared or overlapping goals and complementary action to achieve these goals.