Actavis Group sponsors a European project to combat drug abuse among young people.

“Youth in Europe – A Drug Prevention Programme” is a five year programme which was launched in 2005.
It’s an international comparative research study about drug prevention methods, risk and protection factors in ECADmember-cities across several European countries.

The programme compares prevention strategies and seeks best practices across Europe in order to provide valuable information for all those who are involved in the ongoing task of protecting young people from the injurious effects of drugs. The participating cities will also work towards mobilizing society against drugs according to a programme outline.

The programme has a threefold objective:

• To monitor drug abuse among youth in the cities involved
• To compare the various preventative methods available
• To involve institutions, governments, schools and the public in measures against drug abuse in the participating cities

The programme is based on Icelandic research oriented preventions, spanning the last two decades, documenting risk and preventive factors. All ECAD member cities can be partners and benefit from this joint effort. The research involves: 

• Three surveys of 15- and16-year-old students.
• One survey was carried out 2006. Two more will be conducted in 2008 and 2010.
• At least 2800 students in each participating city are included in each study.
• Research is used to evaluate the most effective prevention measures.
• Young people and their families, schools, youth clubs and authorities mobilised in co-operation against drugs.
• All ECAD member cities can be partners and benefit from this joint effort.

The City of Reykjavik serves as the chair of this programme.
The President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson is its patron.

Actavis Group is the main sponsor of this ambitious drug prevention program in five European cities:

• Vilnius
• Sofia
• St. Petersburg
• Bucharest
• Istanbul