Promoting good health is an integral part of the Europe 2020, the EU's 10-year economic-growth policy framework for a smart and inclusive growth. But this is growth is challenged by an increased number of drug abuse among the youth. Today, Europe has the highest alcohol and drugs consumption in the world as the average alcohol consumption for a young adult aged 15+ years is 12.5 liters of pure alcohol per day, more than double the world average.

Alcohol and drugs abuses are the most common causes of noncommunicable and communicable diseases with a significant increased sexually transmitted infections and the various types of intentional and unintentional injury, including homicides and suicides. It harms and effects people other than abusers, whether through violence on the street, sexual and domestic violence, or using resources dealing with crimes that should be used in education and training for youth.

Thus, increased empowerment and awareness about the effects of alcohol and drugs abuse on the health or wellbeing, can mitigate their impact on economic downturns, unemployment and reduce the alcohol and drug-related deaths and violence. Therefore, our pathways to empowerment in drug abuse prevention invest in youth health through a life-course approach; empower young adult by creating supportive interventions, environments and resilient communities.

Stand Against Drugs; is one of our interventions that aimed at developing the essential concepts with the attitudes, knowledge and the skills for universal drug abuse prevention programmes through youth work to make greater strides in developing both the knowledge and the tools that can stem the tide of drug abuse and curb its devastating effects among young adults.