Empowering Global Drug Prevention: A Systematic Approach

Imagine a world where drug prevention strategies are evidence-based and designed to create real impact. Driven by this vision, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) developed the "Review of  Prevention Systems" (RePS) tool. The primary purpose of RePS is to assess the level of alignment of a national drug use prevention system with the UNODC/WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention. It aims to identify effective prevention interventions and gather data on evidence-based practices, ultimately providing a basis for policy makers to enhance and strengthen prevention strategies.

RePS embodies a collective effort towards a safer and healthier world for all, and reinforces UNODC's commitment to promoting evidence-based prevention that is effective in promoting the health and well-being of children, youth, individuals and communities.

This initial experience in availing and using such a system mapping tool (initially piloted in Norway): 

1- created an opportunity to bring different agents of prevention around a common agenda,

2- incentivised investing in evidence based responses and monitoring and evaluation of intervention and responses

3- capitalized on previously untapped resources and services of prevention

4- set the ground for improving the quality of prevention services by alignment to international standards on drug use prevention. 

This presentation will describe the experience generated thus far and the plans forward in further strenghthening systematic responses to prevention.