UNDCP and Youth Working Together

Listening to Youth: Rethinking Drug Abuse Prevention

In many countries in the region, drug abuse among youth is on the rise. The United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) has been working with youth to find new and innovative solutions. Here we review the situation of drug abuse in the ASEAN region and the importance of listening to youth.

Youth Drug Abuse Trends

The most startling worldwide trends that have emerged are the increased availability and variety of drugs, and the high prevalence of drug abuse among youth. The ASEAN countries are no exception: research has shown that drug abuse is on the rise in the region, and in particular, is increasing among young people, especially young males between 15 and 30 years of age.

Research also shows that drug abuse patterns among youth change rapidly, with different drugs becoming popular. For example, while cannabis use in Thailand and Malaysia has been decreasing, methamphetamine use is on the rise. Furthermore, the methods of taking drugs have been shifting to more riskier methods, such as injection. In Vietnam, for example, heroin use among youth has risen drastically.

Drug abuse has also expanded to a younger and wider segment of the youth population. For example, school children and students in Thailand, often well-off economically, are increasingly experimenting with drug usage. Research in many countries shows that the age of first experimentation has also been decreasing steadily from 18 to 14 years of age, and perhaps even 12 years. It is thus clear that drug usage has become more socially acceptable among youth in Asia.

Preventing drug abuse

Based on the above youth drug abuse patterns and trends, it is evident that prevention strategies and approaches must be reviewed and rethought. Central to these strategies is the involvement of youth. UNDCP is currently involved in projects which seek to discover effective drug abuse prevention approaches among youth. Several key principles and strategies are involved, outlined below:

First, qualitative research should be conducted on the causes of drug abuse among youth people, and their perception of drugs. Young people must themselves participate in the collection, analysis and dissemination of the research. Secondly, awareness raising campaigns are essential. Peer educators and outreach-assisted peer support models have often worked best among youth, as the voices of youth themselves must be heard. Third, it is important to create best practices among youth drug abuse prevention. These can be used as models for prevention programmes around the region.

UNDCP is also currently working with ESCAP on the ongoing project on the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation among children and youth in the Mekong region. Pilot projects, which address drug abuse prevention among child/youth sex workers, are being developed this year during national workshops. Training needs assessments will also be held during these workshops which will be used as the basis of a training manual on drug abuse prevention among child/youth sex workers.

Conclusion

The emerging trends and patterns of drug abuse among youth in Asia clearly indicate that new and innovative methods of drug abuse prevention are needed. Involving youth in the development and implementation of such projects is essential to their success. No longer can youth been seen as merely part of the problem - they are also the solution.

Youth activists find a voice in the community

Approximately 20,000 youth live in the Klong Toey slum area of Bangkok, Thailand. As with any slum area in which there are many problems and dangers, young people are quite susceptible to drug use. There is thus a real need to create drug abuse prevention programmes which target youth. This is often difficult for NGOs, who prefer to work with the families, but not the individual children who are using drugs. The Duang Prateep Foundation (DPF), with support from the UNDCP Regional Centre, has been integrating youth prevention activities into their overall work in the Klong Toey area. In particular, they have created a rehabilitation centre in southern Thailand to treat addicted children and youth. The Foundation is also undertaking awareness raising activities to mobilize the community to take action. Sports events and youth camps are being used to provide messages about the dangers of drug use. In addition, youth groups have been involved in organizing weekend camps with DPF, to increase advocacy among young people. Activities in the community are being developed, such as batik and ceramic classes, and libraries.

Young people are thus becoming increasingly active in the fight to prevent drug abuse, with the Foundation helping the youth to plan their activities and mobilize resources. These young people can play vital roles in devising drug abuse prevention strategies for youth, acting as peer role models, and coordinating community activities. The Klong Toey case thus illustrates that with some empowerment, youth can be active agents of change.

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