What does it signify when a prevention program is designated as a best practice?

When a prevention program is designated as a best practice, it means that the program has undergone rigorous research and evaluation, demonstrating its effectiveness in achieving the desired outcomes. This designation is based on evidence that the program effectively prevents substance use or related problems in the target population.

Best practices are typically developed through systematic reviews of multiple studies, ensuring that the methodologies used are sound and the results are replicable. This research-backed approach provides stakeholders, including funders and community organizations, confidence that the program will deliver positive results if implemented as intended.

While the adaptation of programs to fit cultural needs, the experience of program directors, and the spread of programs across the country are important factors in the success and implementation of prevention efforts, they do not, by themselves, guarantee that a program is a best practice. Best practices specifically emphasize empirically demonstrated effectiveness as the cornerstone of their designation.