What is a major focus of current policies influencing substance use prevention?

The focus of current policies influencing substance use prevention is primarily on harm reduction strategies. This approach recognizes that while prevention of substance use is important, there are individuals who will continue to use substances. Rather than solely concentrating on punitive measures, which may exacerbate issues related to addiction and public health, harm reduction aims to minimize the negative impacts associated with substance use. This can include programs like needle exchange, safe consumption sites, and access to naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.

Policies have increasingly shifted towards understanding substance use as a public health issue, advocating for solutions that promote safety and health, rather than solely relying on punitive actions that may lead to incarceration and stigmatization. The other options, while relevant in certain contexts, do not encapsulate the current predominant focus on harm reduction in substance use prevention.