Minnesota Institute of Public Health

Eons ago, legendary NFL Coach Vince Lombardi began the first minute of the first practice of each season, with the same routine. Holding up a pigskin before the entire squad, Lombardi would say, "Gentlemen, THIS is a football."

It was a great reminder that no matter how far someone had come, how good they were, how many tools they had, and how ambitious their goals were, you needed to remind yourself of the fundamentals, and build from there.

So it is with our work in prevention.

In an age when we are evidence-based, research-driven and epi-focused throughout our prevention work - as well we should be - it would be easy to get lost in the noise. Though we are by most any measure light years advanced in prevention driven by applied research than by prevention driven by slogans, trinkets, or the lightweight trend of the month, a new challenge may be not to forget what makes prevention work.

For me, it's the fundamentals: knowledge, skills, and support.

• What do I need TO KNOW (about the pharmacology of a certain substance and its impact on the human body and mind)?
• What do I need to be ABLE TO DO (what kinds of skills training do I need to say no to drugs and still have friends, to speak with comfort and confidence to my child about substances abuse risks)?
• Where do I get SUPPORT for making healthy choices - Family guidelines? Community norms? Rules? Ordinances? Policies?)

No matter where we go moving forward in prevention, it's good to take stock of the basic things we need to do and share. From there, the science is on our side.

But as the great coach said, "(Ladies and) Gentlemen: THIS is a football."

- JJ