We’re starting a 5-year pilot initiative to help prevent youth substance use. This pilot initiative is being run with help from Planet Youth, an Icelandic group that has successfully prevented substance use in other countries.
The plan uses the Icelandic Prevention Model. It focuses on communities working together and using data to make decisions that fit their local needs.
How the Initiative Works
Community-Based Approach
The initiative helps communities work with youth to prevent substance use. Each community will ask at least 25 young people to take a survey. These surveys will help us find out what things influence youth behaviours related to substance use.
Community Involvement and Support
2 communities will take part in the pilot initiative. They’ll work with Planet Youth to create support systems, run the surveys and make plans that work best for their specific needs. The goal is to create a safe community where substance use is less likely to happen, using proven methods and community teamwork.
Each community will form a group of people from different areas, such as research, policy and local government, to guide the project and ensure it works well for their community.
Information Sessions
The Government of Yukon hosted online and in-person information sessions to help leaders understand the project and their role in it. These sessions were held at the Whitehorse Public Library on September 24, 2024. These sessions were open to community members, organizations, and leaders interested in creating a healthier future for Yukon youth using an evidence-based approach.
If you would like more information about the project, contact us at: planetyouth@yukon.ca.
What is the Icelandic Prevention Model?
The Icelandic Prevention Model, created by Planet Youth, is designed to prevent substance use before it begins. It uses data from the community to help create programs that meet local needs.
The model has 5 main components.
- Primary prevention: Stopping substance use before it starts.
- Community action: Using places like schools as community hubs.
- Data use: Giving the community reliable data to help make decisions.
- Teamwork: Bringing together researchers, leaders and community members.
- Tailored solutions: ensuring that plans meet the specific needs of the community.
Steps of the pilot initiative
The project will happen over 5 years and has 2 main phases.
- Year 1: Learn about the model, build a team, create a plan and start putting the plan in place.
- Years 2 through 5: Monitor progress, make changes as needed and continue the work.
If you have questions, email planetyouth@yukon.ca.