ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES

The mission of the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) is to create healthier and safer communities by changing environmental conditions that lead to alcohol and other drug-related (AOD) problems.  Founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization, IPS has a history of providing leadership in the application of science-based techniques and advancing stronger prevention policies at the institutional, community and public levels. This includes designing and implementing prevention projects on local, regional, state, national and international levels.

IPS’ prevention strategy is based on the Environmental Change Model of AOD prevention, integrating applied data and research, media advocacy, policy development, community organizing and enforcement to change community norms.  This approach is based on research showing that the decisions people make about substance use are largely shaped by the physical, socioeconomic and legal factors in their environment.  The desired outcome is a sustainable systemic change in community norms and standards, driven by changes in policy, procedures and/or processes.