It is important to involve young people in developing effective drug prevention measures relevant to their lives. This is evident from “Niet zonder ons?!” (Not without us?!), a new report by Yara Toenders and Ilse van de Groep, EUR researchers affiliated with YoungXperts and Healthy Start, and researchers from the Trimbos Institute. The study shows that youth participation offers many opportunities, provided it is well organised. The report also outlines the opportunities and challenges when a project or study focuses on drug prevention.
The report "Not without us?!" offers practical guidance for municipalities, addiction care, and educational institutions seeking to involve young people in drug prevention.
A visual representation has also been developed to help professionals apply these preconditions.
Young people as co-developers
Young adults (aged 16–25) have valuable knowledge about environments where substance use often occurs, such as nightlife, student associations, or encountering drug use via social media. By involving young people as co-developers rather than just as a target group, prevention activities are better aligned with trends, behavioural norms, and language use within this group. This increases the likelihood of effective and sustainable drug prevention.
In addition, youth participation demonstrably contributes to the development of important skills for the young people involved, such as critical thinking, leadership, and social skills. As a result, participation not only strengthens the interventions, but also the development and social involvement of young people themselves.
Ilse van de Groep: "Youth participation is popular for good reason: it can yield significant benefits for both young people and organisations. But for drug prevention, it only works really well if young people actually have influence and their ideas are linked to scientifically based principles, so that you prevent their contribution from unintentionally normalising drug use or fuelling curiosity. With this report, we offer professionals frameworks for effectively and ethically involving young people in policy and research."
Give young people real influence, but remain scientifically sound
The report shows that youth participation only works when young people have real influence. Symbolic participation, where young people are invited but have little say, remains common and can erode their trust. In the context of drug prevention, it is particularly important to ensure that young people's input is in line with scientifically based principles in order to prevent risks such as normalisation or curiosity about drugs. Clear frameworks, transparency, and guidance before, during, and after the project are therefore essential.
Preconditions for meaningful youth participation
The report identifies preconditions that help professionals to effectively involve young people in drug prevention, including:
- clear goals and frameworks;
- appropriate target group selection;
- shared, accessible language;
- sufficient time, budget, and guidance;
- structural embedding in policy and organisations;
- feedback to young people;
- effective prevention principles as a basis.
About the study
The study ‘Not without us?!’ was conducted in collaboration with the Trimbos Institute. The insights in this report are based on a literature review, discussions with young people in a youth panel, and an expert meeting with professionals and youth initiatives. The results were compiled into preconditions for effective youth participation in drug prevention.
- Read the report
- View the visual
Want to know more?
- Researcher
- Researcher
- More information
Britt Boeddha van Dongen, b.k.vandongen@essb.eur.nl
