Vienna (Austria), 13 March 2025 – "Investing in your health, safety, and well-being is an investment in a stronger, more sustainable world."
Ms. Ghada Waly, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), emphasized the vital role of youth in substance use prevention. Speaking at the Opening of the Youth Forum 2025 in the margins of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Ms. Waly highlighted that "it is your contribution – your ideas and your actions – that will drive real progress" in building resilience and fostering evidence-based prevention efforts.
The Youth Forum at the CND brings together young leaders from around the world to engage in discussions with UNODC experts on substance use prevention and meaningful youth involvement. Participants learn to recognize vulnerabilities to drug use, what effective prevention aims to target and prosocial and healthy behaviours within their communities.
Over three days, youth engaged in interactive sessions based on the UNODC/World Health Organization (WHO) International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, examining the science behind substance use disorders, understanding risk and protective factors that can make an individual become more vulnerable and reflecting on the extent to which their prevention experiences are aligned with evidence-based practices. They also discussed ways to strengthen their role as youth in prevention work, ensuring that young people are actively involved in shaping policies and initiatives that promote well-being and resilience.
Additionally, participants were introduced to Friends in Focus, UNODC’s newly developed youth-based prevention programme. They explored innovative ways to engage their peers, promote positive social norms, and contribute to substance use prevention efforts in their communities. Shaped through insights and feedback from previous Youth Forum participants, Friends in Focus aims to equip young people with the knowledge, training, and tools to drive meaningful change.
Youth participants shared their experiences and inspirations that led them in their journey of substance use prevention work, exchanging best practices from their communities. Through group activities, they learned from each other, identifying what worked and what didn’t in prevention efforts.
Nathan Christoff-Omar Morris, one of the youth representatives that delivered the joint Youth Statement, shared how his work in Jamaica focused on educating students. “Everyone’s life is unique, and so are their experiences — youth-led initiatives allow peer-to-peer interactions, which is an effective way of communicating. This can create a ripple effect of positive influence in communities,” he emphasized. His efforts back home led to greater presence of prevention messaging in schools and increased student engagement with counselling services.
Nathan, reflecting on his time at the Youth Forum, emphasized how youth-led approaches make prevention efforts more relatable and effective. “Young people understand the challenges we face—whether it’s family struggles, academic pressure, or peer influence. That’s why youth must be at the forefront of prevention work and policymaking.”
Inspired by the diverse ideas and initiatives shared during the Youth Forum, Nathan left with a renewed vision. “This experience will forever be etched into my mind. I plan to bring back my learnings, advocate for more investment in youth-led prevention and introduce programmes like Friends in Focus in my country.”
During the Plenary of the 68th CND, young leaders delivered their jointly drafted Youth Statement: "Prevention efforts must not only be about us but led by us," they declared, urging policymakers to invest in evidence-based strategies and prioritize youth participation in prevention and decision-making processes. “Standing now in front of you, we ask you to help us have more access to capacity building, to voice our opinions and to actively listen to us.”
The Youth Statement passionately called on Member States to recognize that prevention is the most cost-effective approach to addressing substance use. “When prevention is a priority, resilience becomes a reality.”
The youth further stressed the need for youth-led actions, ensuring that prevention efforts reach all young people, regardless of their background, enabling them to reach their full potential and opportunities.
