The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program is a leading example of how intervening very early in life can bring many long-term benefits. This intensive home-visiting program focuses on young first-time mothers-to-be who are coping with socio-economic disadvantage. It begins in early pregnancy and continues until children reach age two, and can produce life-changing benefits. A recent paper — by researchers from the Children’s Health Policy Centre and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal OPEN — suggests some encouraging results. In a randomized controlled trial in BC, NFP led to reduced prenatal cannabis use, and in smokers it led to modest reductions in cigarette use. As a result, it is thought that NFP may hold promise for reducing some types of prenatal substance use in disadvantaged populations.