Alcohol and Drug Prevention - Recommendations from the Directorate of Health

The Directorate of Health emphasises the importance of evidence-based prevention methods and, among other sources, cites the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (UNODC & World Health Organization). Effective prevention involves integrated interventions and policies grounded in evidence, implemented across society and tailored to different age and risk groups. It also notes that a complex interplay of factors exposes children, adolescents, and adults to substance use and other risky behaviours. These issues cannot be tackled by implementing only a single prevention measure, which is often isolated and limited in scope and access. The main aim of prevention measures is to promote the healthy and safe development of individuals. An effective prevention system combines environmental and developmental factors with an educational component that, however, is relatively limited in scope.

Integrated interventions

To deliver integrated interventions and implement policies, a strong and resilient system is essential. The following are required:

• Supportive policies and legal frameworks

• Evidence-based sources and research

• Coordination at all levels (national, regional, and within municipalities)

• Training for authorities and experts

• A commitment to providing adequate funding and sustaining the system in the long term

The SAFER initiative

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the SAFER initiative in collaboration with partners. The goal is to reduce alcohol consumption and related harm. The initiative is divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

• Primary prevention. The focus is on restricting access to alcohol, for example, through availability, pricing, and advertising bans

• Secondary prevention. Involves screening and brief interventions

• Tertiary prevention. Aims to improve treatment for alcohol problems

The initiative is organised into five evidence-based interventions, all aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. Each type of action is represented by a letter in the word SAFER.

Alcohol: No ordinary commodity

To enhance understanding of why these key measures are necessary, the Directorate of Health has published an Icelandic summary of the book Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity - a summary of the third edition (Babor et al., 2022) on which the World Health Organization bases its work. The book reviews numerous studies underpinning the aforementioned measures.