Youth Workshop: Prevention of Gateway Drugs – Best practice and networking among youth for foundation of Drug-Free ASEAN 2015

During December 8-12, 2008, IOGT International/International Institute of the IOGT-NTO Movement, PEMADAM, StopDrink Network and IFNGO, organized a workshop for youth representatives from Asia and Europe at Kuching City, Salawak State, Malaysia. These organizations have been involved in the drug abuse and alcohol consumption prevention and reduction. This workshop was organized coincided with the adult workshop on “Prevention of Gateway Drugs – for foundation of Drug-Free ASEAN 2015”

The primary objective of this youth workshop was to encourage youths to actively take parts in alcohol, drug, tobacco and inhalants abuse prevention initiatives. It aimed to prevent and reduce drug and alcohol abuse among the youth group. Specifically, the event was organized:

1) To proactively involve the youth in the prevention and to increase their knowledge and understanding about the problem.
2) To raise their self-confidence and bring up their capabilities to take actions against the problem.
3) To encourage them in developing and producing their own materials on drugs and alcohol prevention that are suitable with their communities.
4) To share and exchange best practices in the prevention initiative.
5) To expand networking of youth groups against substance abuse with domestic, regional and international organizations. 
 
 
There were 40 youth representatives from 11 countries: Cambodia, Brunei, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Iran, Sri Lanka and Sweden participated in the workshop.

During this workshop, the youth participants made presentations of Best Practice in alcohol, drug, tobacco and inhalants abuse prevention that they created in their own country. They shared their experiences and knowledge on their campaign development and implementation. In addition, the youths get a chance to meet and network with their peers who have different culture and background yet share the same interest in solving the drugs and alcohol problems.  

This workshop provided a great experience for youth representatives. They had learned Best Practice ideas from other countries that can be implemented in their own country. At the end of the workshop, the youth representatives agreed to establish an electronic community in Facebook called “Youth against Drugs” which would be a platform for them to continue exchanging knowledge and working in this area.