Reimagining Prevention: What Really Works for Youth- From Evidence to Practice to Systems

ISSUP Malaysia invites you to join its upcoming webinar: "Reimagining Prevention: What Really Works for Youth- From Evidence to Practice to Systems "

Date: Wednesday, 8th April, 2026

Time: 8:00 PM Malaysian Time | 1:00 PM London

Register for the Webinar 

This webinar brings together international experts from Mexico, Singapore, and Kenya, with facilitation by a distinguished Malaysian expert, offering a rich, multi-perspective exploration of evidence-based prevention for youth. 

The session is structured around a clear and coherent progression: 

1. Evidence Lens – What research and international standards tell us about what works in prevention.
2. Implementation Lens – How evidence-based prevention is translated into real-world practice, including programmes, services, and community delivery. 
3. Systems & Policy Lens – How effective prevention is sustained by embedding it into systems, institutions, and policy frameworks. 

Practical examples will be shared, including: 

• School-based prevention programmes 
• Targeted small-group interventions for at-risk youth 
• Peer and lived-experience-informed approaches 
• Community-based delivery models 

The webinar will provide participants with a clear understanding of how prevention can move from isolated programmes towards integrated, scalable, and sustainable systems, while recognising the influence of relational and family factors in shaping youth outcomes.  

Intended audience:    

• Prevention practitioners 
• School counsellors and educators 
• Civil society organisations (CSOs) working in prevention 
• Policymakers in youth, health, and education sectors 
• Researchers and academics interested in evidence-based prevention implementation 
• Anyone interested in strengthening prevention systems and outcomes  

Learning outcomes:

1. Describe key findings from prevention science and international standards on what works in youth prevention. 

2. Identify effective strategies used in real-world prevention practice across school and community settings. 

3. Understand how evidence and practice can be translated into systems and policy-level implementation. 

4. Recognise the role of protective factors, including relational and family influences, in shaping youth outcomes.

5. Apply a continuum approach (evidence → practice → systems) in designing or strengthening prevention initiatives. 

Presenters:

Dr. Jose Luis Benitez 

Dr. José Luis Benítez is a Doctor of Health Sciences specialising in epidemiology, with extensive expertise in mental health and substance use prevention. He has contributed to national and international policy dialogues, research forums, and professional development initiatives focused on evidence-based prevention. Dr. Benítez serves as Head of the Department of International Relations at CIJ, host institution of ISSUP Mexico, and is a member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers and the ISSUP National Chapter Advisory Committee. 

Mr. Hariharan Mohan 

Hariharan Mohan is a Preventive Drug Education specialist delivering evidence-based programmes across primary, secondary, and tertiary education settings. His work focuses on educating youth — including at-risk populations — about substance use harms while addressing underlying vulnerabilities and risk factors. He designs developmentally appropriate interventions ranging from large-scale school talks to targeted group programmes, working closely with trained volunteers and individuals with lived experience to ensure authenticity, relevance, and impact. 

Ms. Wendy Gaya Waithaka 

Wendy Gaya Waithaka is a prevention and capacity development professional with over 20 years of experience in alcohol and drug use prevention in Kenya. She serves as Senior County Coordinator with NACADA, supporting policy advisory, compliance, research, and capacity-building initiatives. An International Certified Addiction Professional (ICAP – Prevention), Wendy specialises in strengthening prevention systems by embedding evidence-based initiatives within schools, workplaces, and community structures to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Moderator: 

Prof. Dr Suzaily Wahab 

Professor Dr. Suzaily Wahab is a senior consultant psychiatrist and academic at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Her expertise focuses on high-risk behaviours among adolescents, including substance misuse and addiction. She has led numerous national and international research initiatives and received the prestigious CPDD International Award in 2021 and 2022. Dr. Suzaily actively contributes to professional and policy bodies, strengthening evidence-informed approaches to addiction prevention and intervention. 

References:

• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (Second updated edition):  https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/prevention/prevention-standards.html  

• UNODC. School-Based Education for Drug Use Prevention:  https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/schools-based-education-drug-abuse-prevention  

• UNODC. Evidence-Based Prevention 
  https://syntheticdrugs.unodc.org/syntheticdrugs/en/prevention/evidence/index.html 

• World Health Organization (WHO) & UNODC. International Standards on Drug Use Prevention 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ENGAGE: Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Youth Substance Use: https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/interventions/youth-substance-use-prevention.html  

Webinars and online events delivered and hosted by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) are provided for informational purposes only. They are educational in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.