1. Get the latest information without leaving your office.
2. Print full-text documents including research papers, model programs and guides.
3. Discover related information to assist you in program planning.
4. Keep current with useful information on Maine's Office of Substance Abuse website.

Tips:

• Look here for helpful hints.

• Not all tips will be equally useful to Macintosh and PC (IBM compatible) users.

To Learn More:

Look under this heading for directions on where to go for more in-depth information or guidance.

PURPOSE

The Maine Guide to Using the Internet for Substance Abuse Prevention is a no-nonsense, beginner-level overview of how to search the Internet for relevant information efficiently. This Guide will give you quick, clear and concise information and instructions. The many Tip sections will save you time and help keep you organized. In addition, it will show you how and where to look for more in-depth information.

The Guide also contains carefully selected and annotated website listings, including Maine-based websites, to help get you started. The websites were selected for three reasons:

1. They are established websites with prevention-related topic areas.
2. They are easy to navigate and contain useable and downloadable information.
3. They have good links to other related websites.

Important note: The information in this Guide will apply to many, but not all, computers and browser versions. If something does not work on your computer, check the Help section of your browser or check with your technical support person to learn how to apply the information in this Guide to your own computer and browser program.

• You can find a list of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that serve your area in the Yellow Pages of your local telephone book under "Internet."
• Make sure that you choose a local phone number or 800 number to connect to the Internet to avoid costly phone bills.
• Ask friends and co-workers about the pros and cons of the providers (ISPs) that they are using.
• Once you select your provider, they will help you get connected.

This Guide can save you time and effort. You can read it word for word, skip sections you feel you already know, or just review the Tips in the margins of each page. If you want more detailed information, follow the To Learn More directions that are located at the bottom of the pages. There is also a glossary of selected terms at the end of this Guide.

BEGINNING

If you have no experience using a computer, go to your local library or computer store for some basic instruction. This Guide assumes that you have elementary knowledge of how to use the computer and manipulate the mouse. It also assumes that your computer is already connected to the Internet.

Your local computer store and/or Internet Service Provider (ISP) can help you get set up if you are not yet connected. If you do not have your own computer, most libraries now offer computer access to the Internet. You can also often schedule Internet computer time at colleges and technical schools.