August 2026 designated to prevent youth drug use nationwide

What happened

• The President proclaimed August 2026 as "National Substance Use Primary Prevention Month."

Who it affects

• Young people, families, schools, communities, and organizations involved in prevention efforts.

Key details from the proclamation

• It says the President signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, which it describes as permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs.
• It states that nearly a dozen cartels were designated as foreign terrorist organizations and that the southern border is now "the most secure in American history." These points are presented as part of the Administration's efforts to reduce illicit drugs entering communities.
• The proclamation notes the Administration’s 2026 National Drug Control Strategy and says it centers quality, evidence-based prevention.
• It also claims student drug abstention rates have risen under these efforts.

Why it matters

• The proclamation is a federal call to action: it asks families, schools, faith groups, and communities to prioritize preventing drug use among young people.
• It frames prevention as the primary way to reduce addiction and its harms before use begins.

Source grounding

• All points above are stated in the presidential proclamation declaring August 2026 as National Substance Use Primary Prevention Month.