As we step into 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reflects on a year marked by innovation, collaboration, and impactful interventions in evidence-based drug use prevention. Across families, youth, and communities, 2024 underscored the power of collective action in fostering resilience and promoting healthier futures. Guided by the objectives of UNODC’s Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Section, the following efforts have advanced prevention strategies while championing evidence-based approaches and holistic support systems.
Launch of CHAMPS
One of the key milestones of 2024 was the launch and global rollout of the CHAMPS initiative, introduced during the high-level segment of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in March 2024. The initiative received broad recognition from Member States, with five countries—Algeria, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, and Uzbekistan—joining the first wave of implementation.
Egypt became the first country to implement Phase 1 of CHAMPS in the Al Asmarat district of Cairo during the Global Congress on Population, Health, and Human Development. This milestone event was attended by high-level officials, including UNODC Executive Director Ms. Ghada Fathy Waly and key Egyptian partners. Anchored in Egypt’s National Drug Control Strategy (2024–2028), the initiative focuses on child protection and community resilience. A multi-sectoral steering committee was established to ensure a systematic approach to prevention, with CHAMPS resources translated into Arabic to enhance accessibility and inclusion. Member State briefings highlighted progress and outlined the next steps for expanding evidence-based strategies to safeguard children’s development.
Brazil initiated its engagement through a partnership with UNODC as part of the country’s national strategy aimed at protecting children. The Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, in collaboration with UNODC, signed a Letter of Intent in Brasília to develop a multi-sectoral strategy addressing violence against children. The CHAMPS initiative was incorporated as a key component of the prevention strategy.
As we move into 2025, CHAMPS is poised for expansion, with negotiations ongoing for additional countries to join the initiative. Several states are in the process of formalizing their commitments, demonstrating a collective global effort to establish evidence-based prevention as a transformative force in child protection and community resilience.
Development of ‘Friends in Focus’
Additionally in 2024, to provide youths with practical tools and resources to be more easily involved in prevention efforts, UNODC developedFriends in Focus, a new youth-based peer-to-peer drug prevention programme. It harnesses on the potential of youth in exerting positive peer influence towards drug prevention and builds on youths’ roles as the main actors. And importantly, its development also reflected youth perspectives through the multiple youth consultation meetings.
‘Friends in Focus’(FIF) has been developed through comprehensive consultations with international experts and young people to equip youth aged 14–25 with the knowledge and skills to drive substance use prevention efforts within their schools and communities.As part of the programme’s development, UNODC facilitated a series of expert and youth consultations, culminating inthe 3rd Technical Consultation, an in-person meeting that brought together experts, partners, and youths from 15 countries. This collaborative effort refined the programme’s framework to ensure its relevance, effectiveness, and adaptability to the realities faced by young people worldwide.FIF promotes preventive thinking, critical reflection on substance use risks, and meaningful peer engagement, applying a cascade approach that trains youth trainers, who in turn train their peers. This methodology fosters sustainable impact by embedding prevention within youths’ peer networks.With the programme’s prototype now finalized, UNODC is preparing for the pre-pilot phase in southeast Europe.
UNODC Youth Forum 2024
A testament to this commitment is the UNODC Youth Forum 2024, which convened 35 dedicated youth from 27 countries. This annual gathering serves as a crucial platform for youth engagement in evidence-based prevention strategies, reinforcing the principles that underpin ‘Friends in Focus’. By fostering dialogue, capacity-building, and peer collaboration, the forum amplifies the very essence of youth-led prevention efforts. Participants engaged in interactive discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and group activities designed to strengthen their ability to implement prevention initiatives within their communities. A key highlight of the forum was the opportunity for participants to present their perspectives at the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), ensuring that youth-led initiatives are recognized in global drug policy discussions. This engagement underscores the growing momentum of youth-driven prevention efforts and the need to sustain and expand such initiatives in the years to come.
Expansion of Family skills support including in humanitarian settings
Complementing these efforts, the Family UNited Programme continued its expansion, providing families worldwide with the tools to build resilience. In India, the programme empowered caregivers to set positive boundaries while equipping children to resist peer pressure. In Finland, civil society organizations piloted the initiative to address family stress, while training sessions in Italy, Macau, Indonesia, and China reinforced the programme’s adaptability, equipping policymakersand facilitators with the skills to implement effective, family-focused interventions.
The Strong Families programme continues to deepen roots in countries across the globe. In locations such as Pereira, Colombia, and Hanoi, Viet Nam, government and civil society partners embraced the initiative, translating materials into additional national languages and expanding the pool of trained facilitators. Data collection and analysis on the programme’s impact further strengthened the evidence base for family-centered prevention approaches.
In response to humanitarian emergencies, UNODC convened a workshop in Uzhorod, Ukraine, in June 2024, bringing together social workers, psychologists, and civil society representatives. The training focused on the Treatnet Family approach—an evidence-based method rooted in family therapy. Participants engaged in role-plays and discussions, developing personalized action plans for implementation within their communities. Reflecting on the experience, one participant noted: “This training reminded me of the importance of family relationships, even in the hardest times. It’s about finding strength together to move forward.”
Similarly, UNODC collaborated with civil society organizations in Myanmar, conducting a training session in November 2024 on Teaching Recovery Techniques, a psychosocial support program designed to assist children and youth in coping with trauma and stress. By training local facilitators to deliver evidence-based interventions, UNODC and its partners ensured programme sustainability and cultural relevance, reinforcing community-driven approaches to mental health and social stability.
Leveraging Digital Innovations for Prevention
In 2024, UNODC contributed to enhancing prevention solutions using digital technology. The integration of UNODC parenting tips into a vaccination app launched in Cameroon (CIMA) was a demonstration of how technology can bridge diverse tools to provide vital support in challenging environments for the benefit of children and families in need.
Enhancing Life and Social Skills Prevention
The partnership between UNODC and Lions Clubs International Foundation continued to expand the reach of life and social skills-based prevention in 2024. The Lions Quest Skills for Adolescents programme was implemented in secondary schools across Southeast Europe, including Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.
In 2024, two new Lions Quest programmes were introduced in Southeast Europe, enhancing social-emotional learning opportunities for students. In Montenegro, the Lions Quest Skills for Growing programme was launched in elementary schools for the 2024/2025 academic year with the support of the Ministry of Education. The initiative has garnered strong parental engagement and high levels of student participation, particularly benefiting students with special needs. Facilitators highlighted the positive impact on family-school collaboration, noting that “parents were enthusiastic about activities that connected families with the programme.” Additionally, students demonstrated a keen interest in workshop activities, reinforcing the programme’s role in fostering social-emotional development.
In Croatia, the Lions Quest Skills for Action programme was piloted, focusing on refining culturally relevant content and advancing the Service-Learning phase. Initial observations indicate improved self-awareness and social awareness among students. Facilitators underscored the importance of contextual relevance, stating, “Students relate better to examples and activities that reflect their daily lives.” While more than half of the participants reported positive outcomes, facilitators emphasized that “achieving significant impact requires sustained engagement and deeper programme integration.” The feedback from both pilots provides valuable insights for further programme adaptation and scalability, ensuring a stronger foundation for future implementation across the region.
Additionally, UNODC and Lions Clubs International Foundation expanded the Lions Quest programme to Burkina Faso, with agreements signed to implement Lions Quest Skills for Adolescents in secondary schools and Skills for Growing in primary schools, reinforcing a holistic prevention framework.
Amplifying meaningful involvement of youth in prevention efforts
A Vision for 2025
By addressing prevention at individual, community, and national levels, UNODC has laid a strong foundation for continued progress. As we enter 2025, the lessons learned and partnerships established reaffirm UNODC’s unwavering commitment to fostering resilience, empowering communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
For further insights into these achievements and ongoing efforts, visit the UNODC website to explore our latest publications and learn more about current activities. Stay connected on social media:
Together, let’s continue building a healthier and more resilient world.
