When a prevention coalition aims to change policy regarding substance sales, what is their primary strategy?

The primary strategy of a prevention coalition aiming to change policy regarding substance sales is environmental change. This approach focuses on altering the conditions in which individuals make decisions about substance use. By changing the environment, such as through restrictions on the sale of substances or modifying the regulations surrounding their distribution, coalitions can create a safer community that discourages substance misuse.

Environmental change strategies can include implementing policies that regulate the availability and accessibility of substances, such as age restrictions on purchasing alcohol or tobacco, zoning laws that limit the number of outlets selling these substances, or increasing taxes on harmful products. These modifications create a framework that supports healthier choices and reduces substance-related harm in the community.

Awareness raising, while important, primarily aims to inform the public about issues; it does not directly result in policy change. Behavior modification focuses more on individual actions rather than systemic change through policy. Social support strategies aim to create networks of support for individuals but do not specifically translate to changes in policy regarding substance sales. Thus, environmental change is the most effective strategy for addressing policy issues related to substance use in a community context.