10/19/2026
“If you just educate people about the risks, they’ll make better choices.”
It sounds straightforward. In practice, substance use and prevention are far more complex.
Well-intentioned prevention messages can sometimes have unintended effects. Fear-based language, sensationalised imagery, or messages focused only on what people should not do may reinforce stigma or fail to connect with the people they are intended to reach.
Initiatives such as ADAPT's Mind the Message provide one practical example of evidence-informed prevention communication. This aligns with a broader international approach that places dignity, context, and supportive, non-judgemental communication at the centre of engagement with people who use substances. WHO guidance on screening and brief interventions similarly emphasises personalised and supportive interactions rather than judgement.
When we develop health messaging, whether for a clinical setting, public health campaign, social media post, or patient resource, it is worth asking:
Does this language humanise or marginalise?
Is the message practical and actionable?
Have people with lived and living experience contributed meaningfully to its development?
Nurses are well placed to help bridge the gap between public health guidance and the realities of everyday care.
Thoughtful language does not solve every barrier, but it can make it easier for people to engage, ask questions, and seek support.
How is your organisation adapting its prevention messaging to reduce stigma?
