An integrated model of fight against adolescent substance abuse

The abuse of tobacco, drugs and alcohol among adolescents shows a growing trend that Countries all over the world have to face every day. In the last twenty years, Iceland has studied the phenomenon in detail and has discovered crucial interventions that seem to have a significant impact on substance abuse among young people, hence was made the Youth in Iceland project, defining a new synergic approach based on collaboration between parents, schools staff, community members and adolescents. Throughout the years the project has gained the attention of other EU Members that have decided to create a European project along the lines of the Icelandic one: Youth in Europe, born in 2005, which has grown over the years, receiving various funds from the EU and private entities, allowing it to expand in duration and to be still in progress nowadays. Italian cities like Santa Severina in Calabria and Aprilia in Lazio are also part of the project, and more EU members will certainly take part at it in the coming years. Beyond these sociological interventions there have been various scientific studies that have shown a link between smoking habits and drug abuse: the so-called gateway hypothesis has clarified the molecular mechanisms with which nicotine accentuates dependence on other drugs. This underlined the importance of an adequate campaign against all substances of abuse, starting with tobacco control. Thanks to these evidences has emerged the importance of focusing on young people with projects involving them in first person, taking action within the communities in which they live and through their parents.