Prevention is better than a cure.
According to the UN: for every dollar spent on prevention, at least 10 dollars can be saved.
The 12 C’s Prevention Framework
“Prevention doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Primary prevention in schools requires the support of parents, students and society if it is to be successful,” says Anders Eriksson, a drug advisor responsible for the PreCens drug prevention office in Stockholm.
He compiled the following list of factors necessary to guarantee successful prevention, now in use in prevention programs in Stockholm and Rio de Janeiro.
The Twelve C’s of Drug Prevention
Consensus
Agreement among all those working together regarding prevention work for target groups.
Context
Understanding the environment and circumstances where prevention takes place.
Control
It’s impossible to prevent drug use if drugs are easily available, cheap and socially accepted.
Combination
Not just prevention, treatment and enforcement, but a comprehensive plan involving social programs and services.
Complexity
Primary prevention must operate on both demand and supply through mass media, groups, and individuals.
Communication
Clear, effective messaging across all prevention efforts and stakeholders.
Complementarity
Strategies for the whole population, complemented with special attention for risk groups.
Continuity
Prevention is a long-term endeavor, a process that must be repeated continuously for all age groups.
Cooperation
One of the most important pillars – prevention is too complex for isolated actors.
Competence
Essential to have up-to-date knowledge about drug issues, almost in real time.
Credibility
There must be trust that each proposed objective will be attained.
Concreteness
Little use for theories if they cannot be put into practice.