Kwadwo Adu Boakye-Yiadom

Youth in the Digital Age: Social Media, Technology, and Substance Use

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ISSUP CICAD Youth Webinar- Spanish flyer
Location
Online
Event Date
ISSUP Global and the ISSUP Youth Network, in collaboration with CICAD and the Youth Network, present a webinar on Youth in the Digital Age: Social Media, Technology and Substance Use
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Rasha Abi Hana

The Role of Faith Communities in Addressing Substance Use and Crime – Reading List (Part 2)

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Format
Reading List

In this second reading list, we continue exploring the growing evidence on the role and contribution of faith communities and faith-based organisations in addressing substance use and crime, with a particular focus on treatment engagement, recovery, rehabilitation, and criminal justice. While Part 1 highlighted the contribution of faith communities to prevention, community resilience, and violence reduction, this collection examines how spirituality and religiosity may influence help-seeking, substance use outcomes, abstinence, recidivism, and successful reintegration into society.

Faith...

Rasha Abi Hana

Religion, Crime, and Criminal Justice

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Shutterstock
Format
Book
Published by / Citation
Johnson, Byron R., and Curtis S. Schroeder, 'Religion, Crime, and Criminal Justice', Oxford Handbook Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice (2012; online edn, Oxford Academic, 2 June 2014), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199935383.013.005, accessed 20 July 2026.

This chapter reviews the evidence on the relationship between religion, crime, and the criminal justice system. It highlights a growing body of research showing a consistent inverse association between religiosity and criminal behaviour, suggesting that higher levels of religious involvement are often linked to lower levels of offending.

The authors also discuss how these findings can inform crime prevention strategies and criminal justice policy. They argue that collaboration between faith communities and criminal justice systems may strengthen prevention efforts and contribute to more...

Rasha Abi Hana

Youth Narratives Concerning Drug Trafficking in Sinaloa: Joining, Risks, and Plans

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Shutterstock
Format
Scientific article
Published by / Citation
Valdez Bátiz, J. E., Esparza Bernal, V. H., & Burgos Dávila, C. J. . (2023). Narrativas juveniles sobre el narcotráfico en Sinaloa: ingreso, riesgos y planes a futuro. Frontera Norte, 35. https://doi.org/10.33679/rfn.v1i1.2306

This qualitative study explores the experiences of young people involved in drug trafficking in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Based on interviews with 16 young adults, the research examines why they joined drug trafficking, how they perceived the risks, and how they viewed their future within and beyond criminal networks.

The findings suggest that many participants were attracted by the prospect of financial gain, social acceptance, recognition, and the hope of achieving a successful future. For many, drug trafficking was viewed not only as a source of income but also as a pathway for personal...

Barbara Correa

Manual de la Pastoral Latinoamericana de Acompañamiento y Prevención de las Adicciones

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Manual PLAPA
Format
Guide
Published by / Citation
Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano y Caribeño CELAM Avenida Boyacá N.° 169D-75

Nos complace compartir el lanzamiento del Manual de Pastoral de Adicciones, una iniciativa desarrollada por la Pastoral Latinoamericana de las Adicciones (PLAPA) y el CELAM.

Este manual ofrece una guía pastoral para la prevención, el acompañamiento y la reconstrucción de vidas afectadas por el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas, promoviendo un enfoque integral, comunitario y centrado en la dignidad de la persona. Basado en la metodología Ver – Juzgar – Actuar, reúne experiencias, orientaciones y herramientas prácticas para parroquias, diócesis, escuelas y organizaciones eclesiales...

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Rasha Abi Hana

Faith-Based Interventions for Reducing Gang Violence in the Caribbean: Reflections from a Professor and a Priest

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Format
Book
Published by / Citation
Maguire, Edward & Gordon, C.. (2015). Faith-Based Interventions for Reducing Gang Violence in the Caribbean: Reflections from a Professor and a Priest

This book chapter explores the role of faith-based interventions in preventing and reducing gang violence in Trinidad and Tobago. Drawing on the experiences of a criminologist and a religious leader, it argues that gang violence should be viewed not only as a criminal justice issue but also as a community challenge that requires coordinated responses from multiple sectors.

The chapter describes faith-based initiatives implemented in a community affected by gang violence and highlights how religious organizations can contribute through community engagement, social support, mentorship, and...

Rasha Abi Hana

The force of the local community to reduce drug-related problems

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Location
Online
Event Date

On the way to the Barcelona Forum on Drugs, the 8th Thematic Discussion aims to pay tribute to local communities around the world in addressing drug-related problems. A selection of best practices from Barcelona will be presented, the city...

Rasha Abi Hana

New UNODC Toolkit Module on Security Document Examination: Launching event

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Location
Online
Event Date

UNODC has launched a new Security Document Examination module within the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs to help law enforcement, border control, and forensic professionals detect and respond to document fraud linked to synthetic drug...

Barbara Correa

ISSUP Panamá presente en la IV Jornada de Actualización de Psicología. “Psicología, Comunidad y Bienestar en Centroamérica: Desafíos Contemporáneos y Respuestas Profesionales”

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ISSUP Panama jornadas preventivas

Agradecemos la invitación de la Asociación Panameña de Psicólogos a este importante espacio de aprendizaje, donde la Directora de ISSUP Panamá Calixta Aronátegui de Balmaceda participó con el tema:

“Prevención e intervención en adicciones en niños y adolescentes: un abordaje comunitario desde la psicología”.

Durante el conversatorio se destacó la importancia del trabajo comunitario, la prevención temprana y el fortalecimiento de redes de apoyo para promover el bienestar integral de niños, niñas y adolescentes.

Seguimos comprometidos con la formación continua y la construcción de estrategias...

Barbara Correa

ISSUP y CICAD organizan una sesión de intercambio de conocimientos en América Latina para fortalecer la colaboración regional en las respuestas basadas en la fe.

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Faith based meeting

ISSUP, en colaboración con la CICAD/OEA, continúa fortaleciendo la cooperación regional en enfoques basados ​​en la fe para abordar los desafíos relacionados con el consumo de sustancias y los delitos relacionados a las drogas en América Latina.

Como parte de estos esfuerzos continuos, representantes de los Capítulos Nacionales de la ISSUP en toda la región se reunieron el martes 12 de mayo de 2026 para una sesión regional de intercambio de conocimientos, enfocada en fortalecer la colaboración, compartir experiencias y explorar oportunidades para futuras actividades conjuntas de...

Barbara Correa

“Addiction Prevention and Youth Unionism: Training Role Models for a Culture of Care in the Workplace”

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ISSUP Argentina : INEP Plus railways

On Tuesday, May 12, the first meeting of the "Addiction Prevention and Youth Union" project was held at the headquarters of the Railway Workers' Union. The project is led by the Forum Vitae Institute of the Railway Social Welfare Organization, ISSUP Argentina, and ITTC Argentina.

Thirty-two young union leaders from various provinces across Argentina participated in this initial meeting. These young people will begin the INEP Plus (Introduction to Evidence-Based Prevention) training program, guided and mentored by the ISSUP Argentina team, the Forum Vitae Institute, and representatives from...

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Barbara Correa

ISSUP and OAS/CICAD Advance Regional Youth Leaders Network in Latin America

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Youth meeting

ISSUP and the OAS/CICAD, continues to strengthen its joint efforts to establish and coordinate a Latin American Youth Leaders Network. This initiative brings together youth representatives from 10 countries across the region, each representing their respective ISSUP National Chapters.

The network aims to ensure that the voices of young people are actively heard and meaningfully integrated into global responses to substance use and drug related challenges. A key focus is addressing the vulnerability of youth to drug use and drug-related crime, while fostering a proactive and empowered...

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Rasha Abi Hana

Playing legislative catch-up: Drug law reform in the Pacific

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Format
Website
Published by / Citation
Virginia Comolli - Global Initiatives

Drug trafficking in the Pacific is rapidly expanding, shifting countries from transit points to consumer and production markets. However, many national laws remain outdated, as they were designed for earlier challenges like cannabis and are not equipped to address synthetic drugs and cocaine.

Governments are under pressure to respond, leading in some cases to tougher punitive proposals, but legislative reform alone is not keeping pace with the evolving threat. Fiji’s recent approach shows a more integrated model, combining law enforcement, public health, and community engagement through broad...

Barbara Correa

ISSUP Mexico Concludes “Engaging Youth” Course delivered by the OAS/CICAD

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closing ISSUP Mexico youth

ISSUP Mexico continues to advance its strategic agenda with a strong focus on empowering youth leaders in high-risk communities. This commitment was recently reinforced through the successful completion of the “Engaging Youth” training course, delivered in collaboration with OAS/CICAD.

A cohort of 30 young leaders from Mexico has now successfully completed the programme, marking a significant milestone in strengthening youth-led efforts. Through this initiative, participants have been equipped with the knowledge and tools to act as agents of change, working to reduce violence, substance use...

Barbara Correa

Faith, Church and Community: Strengthening Responses to Substance Use and Drug Related Issues

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P. Charly and Dr. Emilce

ISSUP was pleased to host a global webinar titled “Faith Communities and Religion in Addressing Substance Use” bringing together a diverse audience of professionals working in substance use and drug-related crime issues, alongside community and religious leaders, policymakers, and researchers.

The strong participation highlighted the importance of coordinated, inter-sectoral approaches to addressing substance use in a comprehensive and sustainable way.

At ISSUP, we remain committed to strengthening the global workforce and promoting evidence-informed practices across the full continuum of...

Kwadwo Adu Boakye-Yiadom

La comunidad religiosa y la fe frente al trastorno por uso de sustancias

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Format
ISSUP Webinar
​​​​​​​ISSUP Global presenta un seminario web sobre, "La comunidad religiosa y la fe frente al trastorno por uso de sustancias"
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English
Barbara Correa

“Involucrando a los Jóvenes en la Prevención” curso organizado por la CICAD/OEA y ISSUP México

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Opening

Ha dado inicio el curso “Involucrando a los Jóvenes en la Prevención”, organizado por la Comisión Interamericana para el Control del Abuso de Drogas (CICAD) de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), en colaboración con ISSUP México, y con sede en los Centros de Integración Juvenil (CIJ). Esta iniciativa forma parte de un esfuerzo de colaboración internacional que promueve el intercambio de experiencias, conocimientos y mejores prácticas en jóvenes líderes.

Un eje central de la agenda es el involucramiento activo de los jóvenes en prevenir el reclutamiento de jóvenes por parte del...

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English
Rasha Abi Hana

Quality Rights materials for training, guidance and transformation

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Format
Training
Published by / Citation
WHO

Overview

 

As part of the QualityRights Initiative, WHO has developed a comprehensive package of training and guidance materials. The materials can be used to build capacity among mental health practitioners, people with psychosocial, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, people using mental health services, families, care partners and other supporters, nongovernmental organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities and others on how to implement a human rights and recovery approach in the area of mental health in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with...

Rasha Abi Hana

Navigating opioid use disorder treatment for pregnant and parenting people: composite narratives for policy action

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Format
Scientific article
Published by / Citation
Whittaker, J., Kellom, K., Chatterjee, A. et al. Navigating opioid use disorder treatment for pregnant and parenting people: composite narratives for policy action. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00694-2

Opioid use during pregnancy and the postpartum period is increasing in the United States, yet many pregnant and parenting people face serious barriers to accessing effective treatment and supportive services. These barriers arise from fragmented systems such as healthcare, health insurance, child welfare, childcare, and the criminal justice system. This study uses in-depth interviews with healthcare providers, treatment leaders, local government officials, and pregnant and parenting people in a mid-Atlantic state to explore access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), key treatment...

Barbara Correa

ISSUP Chief Executive Addresses the 78th Regular Session of CICAD

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Joanna at CICAD 78

ISSUP was honoured to participate in the 78th Regular Session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), where Joanna Travis Roberts, Chief Executive of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), delivered remarks to representatives of Member States, civil society organisations, experts, and partners from across the Americas.

Speaking to the importance of collective and evidence-informed responses to substance use, Joanna highlighted that challenges related to drugs intersect with public health, social development, community safety, and human rights...

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