EMCDDA launches best practice portal for drug prevention - Eurad

This section of the EMCDDA website summarises evidence about the effect of the most widespread prevention interventions.

The EMCDDA classifies prevention into three categories: universal, selective and indicated interventions. In addition there are environmental approaches which are prevention measures that operate on the level of the social, formal and cultural norms tackling both licit and illicit drugs. Universal prevention targets the whole population, while selective prevention targets (vulnerable) groups, both with the aim of deterring or delaying the onset of substance use. Indicated prevention acts at the individual level.

While the EMCDDA believe that this classification remains a valid analytical framework, they have opted to display the information according to the main target groups rather than by the categories described above, in order to follow the same methodological approach applied to other modules of the EMCDDA portal.

So, you can now see an overview of "what works" or what is likely to work, in terms of drug prevention, with the following groups:

• Families

• School Students

• Community Members

• General Population

You can also download the recently published EMCDDA Prevention Standards and Guidelines.

In addition to the environmental interventions which the EMCDDA alludes to, there are a whole host of service and policy interventions which have been shown to promote positive, healthy behaviours and lifestyles. High pricing, legislative measures, commmunication campaigns, persuasion, incentivisation, education and treatment all have a role to play in behaviour change. It is important not to see one intervention as sufficient in its own right, it is probably where you have a well co-ordinated set of activities where you will see the biggest benefit. For that reason, we in EURAD advocate for a balanced but restrictive drug policy, which places appropriate focus upon the whole 'drug journey' from cultivation to prevention through to treatment and recovery.