1.6  Identify Potential Barriers

Brainstorming about potential stakeholders is an important exercise because it helps you to begin recognizing the variety of people who may be motivated to join your prevention effort. Although it may seem counterintuitive, it is equally important to brainstorm about potential barriers. Examining potential barriers to implementing your prevention effort is critical because it can help you to anticipate, plan, and employ a realistic action plan later.

Examining potential barriers serves to help you make an informed decision about proceeding. Integrating information about barriers, such as inviting potential adversaries to join your effort, can strengthen your prevention efforts.

The types of potential barriers to your addressing the identified substance use problem will vary greatly in relation to type of drug problem, target audience, region, and other social problems in the area.