Young adulthood is a pivotal window for substance use prevention. National Survey on Drug Use and Health data from 2023 show that alcohol and marijuana use often begins at younger ages, while opioids, stimulants and hallucinogen use typically begin around age 21. Ages 18–25 represent a period of major life transitions, when stress, peer influence and new independence can influence substance use.1 Self-reported use of these substances increases after age 25, making young adulthood an important window to prevent substance use from escalating.

To reach young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, the Alaska Division of Public Health developed the Next Move campaign, connecting them with tools, resources and real stories to help them navigate stress, address mental health challenges and reduce substance use under a simple message: no pressure, just options. The Alaska Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) Public Health Analyst (PHA) drew on his medical background to provide subject matter expertise and review across 17 resource pages covering topics ranging from mental health disorders to prescription drugs and illicit substances. The campaign published resource pages and testimonials on the Alaska Department of Health website and across social media, earned coverage in four media outlets and received support from paid television and radio advertising. The AK PHA and partners also produced more than 30 unique resources focused on reducing substance use, preventing overdose, accessing treatment and finding crisis support for the campaign.

To date, the Next Move campaign advertising has generated more than 900,000 impressions statewide across streaming television, digital video, YouTube and in-app gaming. By meeting young adults where they are, Next Move has created a lasting and accessible resource for information and support, available at NextMove.alaska.gov. 1 Cadigan, J. M., Duckworth, J. C., Parker, M. E., & Lee, C. M. (2019). Influence of developmental social role transitions on young adult substance use. Current Opinion in Psychology, 30, 87–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.03.006