This week, our 2023 Youth Forum alumni and youth advocate, Dervin Lua Wei Jun, from Singapore, is sharing his story of engagement and future aspirations.
Dervin started getting involved in drug use prevention at 18 years of age after joining the Anti-Drug Advocates programme, launched by the Central Narcotics Bureau in Singapore. “I thought that it was a great opportunity for me to step up and be involved as I wanted to learn more about substance use prevention as well as how I can advocate it towards those around me,” he recalls.
Since his participation in the Youth Forum 2023 in March, he shared his experience of the Youth Forum with relevant stakeholders in Singapore, and participated in the Asia Pacific Forum Against Drug Abuse, where they discussed how substance use prevention efforts are sustained through local community action. Dervin is also involved with youth work with various non-government organisations, and a firm believer in championing youth empowerment.
Before we start, could you briefly share with us your experience at the Youth Forum 2023?
It was a great privilege to be able to participate in such an enriching forum in which I was able to connect with like-minded and passionate youths in the exploration of preventive substance-use education, the current forms of advocacy that have been applied in our respective countries, as well as the possibilities of collaboration for a united front to prevent substance use.
How does what you learned at the Youth Forum resonate with your commitment to substance use prevention?
The conclusion of our youth statement reads, ‘Breaking the cycle of substance use tomorrow requires youth engagement in prevention today’. This statement succinctly summarises what we learned as a collective group at the Youth Forum, and reiterates how we, as the youth, are the changemakers. As young changemakers, we need to be actively involved and engaged with the situation, be it on an international level or a grassroots level, as it will shape our worldviews and how we are able to best contribute.
It seems you were involved in youth work and interaction with your peers already before participating in the Youth Forum 2023. How did your experience last March differ?
At the Youth Forum, I was able to hear the different experiences from my fellow peers from their respective countries. Such experiences would include their encounters with people who use substances, their country’s laws and regulations on substance use, and their advocacy efforts in substance use prevention. It was fulfilling to hear up close and personal on these stories, as it broadened my understanding beyond my own experience in Singapore.
As a Youth Forum alumni and an advocate for substance use prevention, what do youth leadership and empowerment mean to you?
To me, youth leadership and empowerment means to be able to rally my peers towards the advancement of building stronger communities from all walks of life. This can be achieved through creating ground-up initiatives targeted towards serving those who are in need and for causes that are close to our hearts.
Do you face any challenges as a youth leader in addressing drug prevention needs in your community?
Inevitably, there will be challenges due to scepticism, nonchalance, or permissive attitudes; but as youth leaders, we must rally together in addressing them by leading the change. Such a change can be achieved through sustained engagement with those around us; be it at home, at school or at work. This will create a rippling effect in our local communities, leading the widespread awareness, advocacy and adoption through engagement, education, and empowerment.
What do you think could be improved when involving young people in substance use prevention?
Youth should continue to be given the opportunity to participate in forums, discussions, workshops, and events surrounding the issue of substance use prevention to sustain their involvement, and provide them with the exposure for them to learn about different perspectives. Only through active participation will the youth have a better understanding of the importance of substance use prevention.
Thank you, Dervin, for sharing your meaningful experience and we wish you all the best for your future projects.