The Planet Youth Practice Toolbox:
Examples from Communities


Explore tools and initiatives for preventing youth substance abuse, with a main focus on Iceland, where the greatest expertise using the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) has been developed. This includes the Prevention Day, successful media campaigns, and the crucial advocacy and support provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
  The Icelandic President  ©Morgunbladid, 2024
"Every year matter" (Prevention Day
2021, managed by the Icelandic 
Directorate of Health) 

Learn about the Icelandic

Prevention Day

Prevention Day, founded in 2006/2007 under the patronage of the President of Iceland, aims to promote protective factors for adolescents, such as family time, extracurricular activities, and postponing alcohol use. This nationwide initiative unites schools, municipalities, and youth organizations to encourage open discussions among teenagers while offering them positive role models.

The initiative empowers adolescents to make informed decisions about alcohol and substance use. It is celebrated annually with school activities, media campaigns, and a high-profile event at the presidential residence, where outstanding participants are honored.

The initiative’s influence has now reached Guanajuato, Mexico, where it is celebrated on December 1st, marking the first international partner to adopt Prevention Day and highlighting its expanding impact in promoting healthier futures for youth.
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How Iceland Saved Its Teenagers (BBC News, 2017)

Outside-hours

In Iceland (2002), late-night outdoor hour guidelines were introduced to prevent youth drug and alcohol use. These soft laws allow police to send children home if they are outside past permitted hours, restricting children under 12 to be outside until 8:00 PM and those aged 13 to 16 until 10:00 PM, with an extra two hours allowed from May to September.

NGOs, supported by local authorities, distributed fridge magnets to remind parents of these guidelines. School-based parental associations expanded this by organizing “parent patrols” where parents monitored neighborhoods to support the outside-hours, reduce gatherings, prevent substance use, and offer help to teens outside.

This initiative has proven successful in Iceland and can be easily adapted by other communities, offering an effective approach to creating safer environments for youth.
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"Is your father your dealer?" (Campaign run by the Institution of Public Health, 2006). A reminder that selling alcohol to adolescents under 20 years of age is breaking the law.

Successful Media Prevention & Campaigns

Media prevention campaigns are a powerful way to raise awareness, promote healthy behaviours, and strengthen protective factors in the community. Across different countries and cultures, Planet Youth partners have designed creative initiatives that engage parents, inspire young people, and spark conversations about reducing substance use. These campaigns show that prevention can be done in many ways, from relatable role models and positive messages to targeted outreach on specific risks. While they may require planning, teamwork, and persistence, they don’t always need large budgets to make a lasting impact.

The Role of NGOs in Prevention

The contributions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Iceland’s prevention work are invaluable. Over the past 20 years, these organizations have addressed a variety of topics, all working toward a common goal of enhancing community well-being and reducing risks associated with substance abuse.


While the specific associations may vary in different countries, the impact of NGOs remains significant. In Iceland, these non-profit organizations receive crucial financial support from various sources, including national authorities, municipalities, and dedicated funds. Their ongoing efforts continue to play a pivotal role in promoting effective prevention strategies and fostering healthier communities.

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Actions- what can be done?

Example of Community-Developed Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Use Among Youth. More actions can be found in the Kristjansson, A. et al. (2020) paper. 

Enhance Public Awareness Campaigns

Run campaigns that educate the community on the risks of substance use and the importance of youth prevention.

Support Local Youth Programs

Invest in youth programs that provide structured activities and mentorship opportunities.

Collaborate on Outside-Hours 

Work with parents and local authorities to support outside-hours law adherence, helping reduce unsupervised late-night outings.

Foster Intergenerational Connections

Encourage connections between youth and trusted adults in the community to build support networks.

Partner Examples in the Community

Planet Youth Festival (Blankenberge, Belgium):

Planet Youth partners in Blankenberge support youth engagement through the annual Planet Youth Festival, a free event for students aged 14 to 16 in the second grade of secondary school. The festival promotes connection, well-being, and positive peer experiences, inspired by insights from local Youth Survey data. Held during the city’s parenting awareness week, the event offers young people a fun and supportive space to gather and enjoy activities together. It encourages healthy leisure time and strengthens protective factors that help prevent risky behavior. Following the success of the 2024 Planet Youth Festival, the same format is planned for future years. Here is the schedule available in Dutch. 
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