In recovery work, the urge to "fix" can often overshadow the real goal: empowering autonomy. As a recovery ally, I’ve learned that sustainable healing happens when we honour the individual’s journey and not impose our values on it. True...
Recovery Allies and Peer Recovery Support Specialists are highly resourceful individuals who can work collaboratively through actions that align with recovery principles. By working together from a science-based position and incorporating...
The inspiring journey of Adan Noor – INEP Plus graduate, cohort 3 (2025)
Adan Noor, a graduate of the INEP Plus Cohort 3 (2025) in Kenya, is a powerful example of how prevention education has the potential to transform not only individuals...
*THE IMPACT OF GRASSROOT* *PROGRAMS ON* *ADDICTIONS.*
*_What I Have Experienced_*
Addiction is not just a personal struggle; it's a community crisis. It sneaks into homes, schools, and workplaces—leaving brokenness in its wake. But...
On this Father's Day, let us not only celebrate those who have found their way but also uplift those still on the path to healing. Every father, regardless of his struggles, holds the potential to reclaim his strength, rewrite his story...
Over the years, substance use and abuse have been known to have many negative effects on the human brain. For men, the most common symptoms may include disruptions in decision-making and impaired executive functioning.
Men have emotions...
Strengthening Alcohol Taxation for Public Health and Youth Protection
On 24th April 2025, the Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) had the privilege of appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Trade to present a...
RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE: TURNING HOPE INTO ACTION.
The journey to recovery is filled with both rewarding and challenging moments. Some days will feel like victories, while others may test your strength. But remember - urges and setbacks are...
When was the last time you “spoke” to a chatbot or virtual assistant? From which outfit suits a specific function, responding to interview questions, recipes, today’s weather, gift ideas, the list is endless. Just as we asked where we would...
The Role of Permissiveness by Parents/Caregivers in Substance Prevention
Permissiveness in substance prevention can be misleading and often carries severe consequences for both parents and caregivers. Allowing substance use under the...
Motivational Interviewing (MI) has long been a personal favourite amongst intervention modalities. Much of the work my teams and I have done in the Addiction Psychiatry Division at the University of Cape Town has been anchored in MI’s core...
Substance use surveillance has emerged as a crucial public health strategy across Africa, particularly in light of the alarming rise in substance use among adolescents (1). This trend poses significant health risks that require a...
Evidence-based practice (EBP) serves as the foundation for effective prevention strategies, ensuring interventions, programmes, and policies are grounded in the best available scientific knowledge.
This guide presents a curated collection...
Prevention aligned with science and standards advocates for a person-focused rather than a drug-focused perspective when articulating responses and services. Such a perspective follows a narrative that early initiation to substance use is...
Community-based models form an important component in alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug (substance) abuse prevention systems. Community models target both place-based communities and distinct sub-populations (e.g., defined by common...
Community-based models form an important component in alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug (substance) abuse prevention systems. Community models target both place-based communities and distinct sub-populations (e.g., defined by common...
The traditional view of prevention focusing solely on individual behavior change and decision-making skills is inadequate. While individual...
