The future belongs to new ideas and the new policies they inspire.
Founded in 1978, the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that develops new ideas to reduce illegal drug use. Non-partisan and non-political, IBH serves as a catalyst for change. IBH facilitates creative public and private sector collaboration to achieve this important public health goal.
Learn how IBH is reframing the way our country thinks about youth substance use prevention.
Rooted in the science of the developing brain, which is uniquely vulnerable to substance use, the prevention goal is One Choice: no use of any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana/THC, or other drugs before age 21 for reasons of health.
Legacy Project
Listen in to conversations between IBH President Robert L. DuPont, MD with professionals in the fields of addiction medicine and drug policy:
Our Priorities
Three Overlooked Realities of the Fentanyl Epidemic
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Three Overlooked Realities of the Fentanyl Epidemic 〰️
Our Leadership
Robert L. DuPont, MD, President
Caroline DuPont, MD, Vice President
Led by Drs. Robert and Caroline DuPont, IBH serves as an expert voice in national and global drug policy, identifying and promoting practical and affordable ideas to reduce illegal drug use. Learn more.
About IBH
Learn more about our organization, our mission, and the work we do.
Drug Policy Perspectives
Understanding the Nixon Administration’s Drug Control Policy
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Understanding the Nixon Administration’s Drug Control Policy 〰️
Chemical Slavery Now Available
At a time when the nation is searching for ways to save lives from opioid and other drug overdoses as well as how to reduce the burden of addiction on individuals, families and communities, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, MD has written Chemical Slavery: Understanding Addiction and Stopping the Drug Epidemic, for parents, teachers, physicians and for everyone afflicted by addiction. The book also guides leaders in public policy and planning positions, as well as drug abuse treatment.
Chemical Slavery covers two crucial topics: First, the national drug epidemic including an understanding of its evolution to become a national emergency, and the science of addiction and recovery. Second, Dr. DuPont presents his experience-based guide to the intimate, day-to-day struggle with the disease of addiction from prevention to lasting recovery. This book shows the ways in which these two domains of addiction, the national and the personal, are intertwined and can be both understood and managed. Full Press Release.
Youth Drug Use is Not Inevitable
IBH has conducted original analyses of national data sets on youth substance use behaviors with two critical findings:
For teens, all substance use is related. The use of any one substance increases the likelihood of using others; similarly, not using any one substance decreases the risk of using others.
More than ever, American youth are choosing to not use any alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana or other drugs. This number has increased for over three decades.
IBH has developed a clear youth prevention message: One Choice: do not use any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana or other drugs under the age of 21 for reasons of health. Focused on adolescent health and rooted in the unique vulnerability of the developing brain, the One Choice message supports all other prevention messages and can be integrated into other prevention programming.
Global Engagement
IBH President Robert L. DuPont, MD, pictured below with Pope Francis, participated in global workshop on narcotics in Rome. Learn more about our priority to Lead International Drug Policy.
IBH Needs Your Support
Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)3 non-profit organization today.