Introduction. The use of psychoactive substances (PAS) remains one of the key factors contributing to the development of non-communicable diseases and posing a threat to the national security of the Russian Federation. Preventive measures remain the most effective in minimizing negative impacts on public health, as supported by scientific research and enshrined in the *State Anti-Drug Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2030* (Presidential Decree No. 733 of 23.11.2020). Objective. To assess the effectiveness of implementing the standardized operational procedure (SOP) «Model of Short-Term Motivational Intervention During Preventive Medical Examinations of Students for Early Detection of Illicit Use of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances». Materials and methods. The study materials included: original research on preventive medical examinations; methodological guidelines on short-term motivational intervention developed by the authors; data from the study «Improving Measures for Preventing Addictive Behavior Among Adolescents and Youth in the Russian Federation»; results of a randomized controlled trial comparing the SOP and traditional examination approaches. The findings were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Conclusion. The SOP, integrated into a preventive informational conversation between a psychiatrist-narcologist and a student, improves screening quality and enhances the detection of risk factors for non-medical PAS use, while also strengthening motivation, personal responsibility for health, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

health, youth, addiction, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, preventive medical examinations, standardized operating procedure, healthy lifestyle.