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...

The “Engaging Youth in Prevention” course has officially begun, organised by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States (OAS) in collaboration with ISSUP Mexico, hosted by Youth Integration Centers (CIJ). This initiative forms part of an international collaboration effort aimed at promoting the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and best practices for youth leaders.

A central focus of the agenda is the active involvement in addressing the recruitment of youth into organised crime and substance use, recognising the urgency of empowering...

A new chapter in training has begun at ISSUP. A new Training Team has been formed with the goal of improving the accessibility and relevance of ISSUP’s training, while ensuring it reflects the learning needs of members worldwide.

In the early months of its work, the team carried out a training needs assessment to better understand members’ online learning needs. At the same time, the team engaged with several Learning Management System (LMS) providers to explore options for a new platform that supports accessible, high-quality learning. The proposals received are now being reviewed.

This...

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...

Jimena Kalawski, Chief of the Demand Reduction Unit of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States (OAS), and Barbara Correa, Regional Coordinator of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), offered welcoming remarks at the closing of a training for young leaders based on the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC).

Twenty-seven youth from nine Latin American Member States participated in this online training, developed within the framework of the priority that the CICAD Executive Secretariat gives to youth prevention...

We’re excited to share that ISSUP has successfully launched the pilot of the Investing in Evidence-Based Prevention (IEP) Workshop, attended by 18 participants from 17 countries. The workshop was delivered in two online sessions, held on 14 and 21 August, bringing together policy-makers, decision-makers and funders. 

 

The IEP workshop was developed by Jeff Lee, and Rachele Donini, together with the Scientific Support Team (SST). The pilot was delivered by Rachele Donini as trainer. 

 

The first session, Introduction to Prevention Science, focused on the fundamentals of prevention...

The 22nd International Congress of Youth Integration Centers (CIJ), convened under the theme “Environment and Mental Health”, brought together authorities, specialists, and international representatives to examine the interrelationship between environmental conditions and psychological well-being.

The Congress was honored by the presence of the Governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado Pineda, and the Mayor of Acapulco, Abelina López Rodríguez. Both emphasized the imperative of positioning mental health as a priority within public policy, particularly in communities of young people and in contexts...

This week, we say goodbye to our dear friend and mentor, Jeff Lee, the founding Executive Director of ISSUP. Jeff was a steadfast advocate for the professionalization of prevention, insisting that those working in this field should be appropriately specialized. He often reminded us that while generalists and treatment specialists are well-meaning and deeply embedded within their communities, they are not always best placed to develop and implement evidence-based prevention systems. Jeff emphasized that prevention must be treated as a distinct science—one that is grounded in rigorous research...

The National Chapters Team held a pivotal 2-day virtual meeting from 10th – 11th December 2024 to evaluate the current operational model for National Chapters and identify opportunities for improvement and growth. The meeting was dubbed a ‘Vision Meeting’ to reflect the core agenda: Crafting a forward-looking plan for the ISSUP National Chapters. 

Another year has swiftly passed, adding to the remarkable list of successes achieved by ISSUP National Chapters across the globe.