Do you or someone you know know of an adolescent who engages in unhealthy habits such as poor nutrition, drug or alcohol abuse, and practices unsafe sexual habits? Maintaining programs that help adolescents address these issues in an informed manner is necessary to help model positive behaviors in everyday life. Programs like Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and The Boy and Girls Club of America help educate children and teens to make informed decisions about their health and overall well-being. Research studies show that promoting and establishing healthy behaviors for younger people is more effective and often easier than efforts to change unhealthy behaviors already established in adulthood. It is in the community's best interest to adequately educate adolescents about the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy lifestyle through the use of lectures and other educational programs in schools, community outreach programs, and through public service announcements such as television and other forms of media. For starters, public health has a long history of trying to be involved in the daily lives of people in our society. In 1919, Prohibition began the first attempt at government interference in drugs and alcohol. After the abolition of prohibition, drugs became the main focus regarding public health. The United States faced its first drug epidemic in the early 20th century, and its second in the 1970s. While discovering new drugs such as morphine, heroin, and cocaine, our society has attempted to find a solution to drug abuse and addiction in the country. During the 1960s, drugs such as marijuana, amphetamines, and psychedelics gained popularity... middle of paper... -414. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 2, 2014. Kumar R, O'Malley P, Johnston L, Laetz V. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use prevention programs in US schools: a descriptive summary. Prevention science [online serial]. December 2013;14(6):581-592. Available from: Academic Research Completed, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 3, 2014. Landau, Elizabeth, CNNMoney's Melanie Hicken, Aaron Smith, Jen Christensen, and Miriam Falco. “CVS Stores Will Stop Selling Tobacco.” CNN. Cable News Network, 5 February 2014. Web. 05 February 2014. .Stigler M, Neusel E, Perry C. SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO PREVENT AND REDUCE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG YOUTH. Alcohol research and health [online serial]. June 2011;34(2):157-162. Available from: Academic Research Completed, Ipswich, MA. Accessed in February 3, 2014.