PDF (Lessons learned in drug abuse prevention: a global review)

of crimes committed by children and youth, and with the largest number of children
referred to orphanages. The project does not intend to reach all youth in the community,
but particularly targets those coming from the backgrounds described above.
Aims:
To prevent children from becoming addicted to substances, and to counteract and
avert psychosocial pathologies in their development. This programme endeavours to
create a cohesive and stable counselling and re-socialisation system for children and
their families.
Main activities:
● Targeting children and identifying their risk factors: The programme targets
children with significant disciplinary problems, those who have trouble learning, and
those who have emotional and social problems and are therefore at higher risk of using
substances. This type of problem is usually rooted in the past and current family situation
of the child and the majority of children recruited in the programme come from families
of alcoholics. Solving these problems often exceeds the capacity of schools. The aim of
the project is to decrease drug abuse and crime, to decrease the number of referrals to
orphanages and child institutions, and to increase the emotional development and social
inclusion of children at high risk through carrying out prevention work at an early stage.
● Using ‘Troubled Youth Centres’ as the setting to reach children: These Centres
are open for 6 days a week and are seen as safe places where the children can get support
when suffering personal crises, problems with growing up, trouble with schoolwork,
peer conflict etc. The Centres are situated close to the children's homes, and are
therefore easily accessible. The main activities carried out at the Troubled Youth
Centres are a combination of therapeutic group and individual-based sessions, including
activities designed to improve their emotional functions, social skills and cognitive
activity. There are 25 children per centre, who attend the activities each day.
● Rules and regulations in the Troubled Youth Centres are made by the children:
There are basic rules in the centres, which include stipulating equal treatment for each
child, the rule that decisions are made by vote of the children, and the prohibition of drug
and alcohol consumption and violence on the premises. Through the formulation of
common rules and norms of behaviour decided on by the children, educators and
volunteers in the centres, a 'corrective' environment is created based on mutual agreement.
● Reaching parents and families in the community: Systematic social work is carried
out with the families that live in the community. This consists of improving their living conditions,
conducting consultations about upbringing methods and providing general assistance
for their everyday needs. The aim is to increase parent's knowledge and skills so that
they can educate their children and solve family problems and crises.
● Using Family Counselling Centres as a setting to reach parents: Most of the parents
are offered family therapy at the local Family Counselling Centre. Counselling, support
groups and crisis interventions are also provided. Parents with children attending the
Troubled Youth Centres will be given priority. Often, these parents have very serious
problems of their own, such as unemployment, alcohol abuse or legal problems. Working
with parents rests on the assumptions that families are the first and most important agent
of preventing psychosocial difficulties in a child.
LOCAL
● Collaboration with schoolteachers: Teachers in schools are being sensitised in order
that they may identify children at high risk. They are encouraged to exchange information
about individual cases, to make plans on how to support these children, and to ensure that
the care given in the Troubled Youth Centres is maintained at school. This increases opportunities
for social inclusion, and enhances partnerships between local agencies and services. 29