Our researchers use innovative, scientific methods to better understand substance use, mental health problems, problem behaviors, and other issues that negatively impact society. We have been studying the mechanisms of risk and protection in child, adolescent, and young adult development for more than two decades. By charting the developmental course of a problem, we identify the underlying causes and the malleable individual, family, school, and community factors that contribute to its emergence.

A national leader in prevention science and a trusted partner of funding agencies like NIDA, we hold vast data sets from over 20 years of invaluable research. Through continual and longitudinal studies, we can recognize social trends and emerging problems such as vaping and novel substance abuse issues. Our ongoing research provides a solid foundation for new evidence-based programming and guides adaptations to existing interventions.