Substance abuse is a national problem, but defeating it requires the involvement of every concerned citizen on the local level. Individuals and organizations across the nation are successfully joining together in the fight against substance abuse. Parents and police, teachers and tavern owners, ministers and magistrates are developing action plans to turn their communities around.

It's clear that the problem of substance abuse is immense. And it's just as clear that any plan to fix it will need to cover a lot of bases. Every community must develop a comprehensive strategy for reducing alcohol, illicit drug and tobacco use, coordinated across institutions and among individual citizens.

Communities nationwide have successfully reduced drunk driving, closed down crack houses, and found jobs for troubled teens. They've found success--not by waiting for others to act, but by taking matters into their own hands.

If the problem is so immense, where do you start? Here are a few suggestions:

•	Assess the harm that substance abuse is causing in your community.
•	Consult with community groups that are involved in fighting substance abuse to learn about efforts already underway.
•	Develop a plan that allows various groups in your community to collaborate.
•	Support education, prevention, treatment programs, and legislation aimed at eliminating substance abuse.

In addition to focusing on the problem community wide, recognize your role as an individual in reducing substance abuse. By not tolerating underage drinking at parties, or shrugging off drug use as youthful "experimentation," you can turn around young people headed for trouble. By taking the keys away from someone who's had too much to drink, you can save lives. By not drinking to excess, or using illicit drugs and tobacco, you can make a tremendous contribution toward healthier and safer communities.

The time to act is now, before you or someone you love becomes the next victim. The place to act is right where you are, in your home, your school, your church, your community. Like many other citizens and communities across the nation, you can join together to defeat substance abuse.