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Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) are one of Illinois' most serious and expensive public health threats. ATOD affects individuals, families and communities by increasing rates of illness, violence, school failure, child abuse, teen pregnancy, and other major social problems. Prevention is looking at how people are influenced toward drugs in the first place and changing those influences. Prevention is everyone's business. Whether you are a student, parent, educator, health professional, civic leader, business person, or concerned citizen, you can play a role in prevention. Research shows that the way we educate, assist and lead our children today will determine how many of them use drugs in adulthood as well as adolescence. There is no single solution to ATOD problems, but communities can use a variety of strategies to support individuals, families, schools and organizations as they create healthy environments and lifestyles. Prevention is the sum of these efforts. To be effective in prevention, we need to be informed, organized and prepared. That's where we can help.