THE NETWORK FOR PREVENTIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE WORK IN A NUTSHELL Mission: Productive and influential substance abuse prevention Vision: A society where everyone has the opportunity for the best possible everyday life. Includes over 60 Finnish social and health care NGO's preventing and decreasing the harm caused by substance abuse. Financed annually by Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) and co-ordinated by EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Background
The Network for Preventive Substance Abuse Work was created based on the need to increase common dialogue and operational efficiency. It includes over 60 social and health care organisations, which want to prevent and decrease the harm caused by substance abuse. This many-voiced group includes non-profit organisations, service providers and patient associations, each of which speak for their own target or customer group in the network.
This cooperation aims to strengthen communication with citizens and persuasive communication, increase the results and effects of the work and facilitate innovative initiatives. Cooperation between the members is facilitated by a four-person team that consists of experts of various fields. Operation is planned and implemented in work groups, chaired by the member organisation. Experts of the facilitation team prepare the work. The chairmen form the network’s management team that monitors and evaluates its operations and outlines communication.
When working together, we foster a committed, bold and flexible operational culture. Networking creates actions that are beneficial to the members and more extensive target groups, such as communication with citizens, representation, co-creation and training.
Strategy 2023 – 2027
There is power in a network
1. Current Challenges and Needs of Organizations in Preventive Substance Abuse Work Are Transformed into Solutions and Joint Action
- The core of the network lies in working groups. An increasing number of organizational actors participate in these groups, and the information gathered from them is utilized more effectively in the network’s communication. Additionally, collaboration between different working groups is being developed.
- Support for organizational collaboration is provided not only through information but also by creating genuine opportunities for cooperation. The core messages of the network are well known to the organizations and can be leveraged in their own activities. Organizations also share information with each other.
- Information obtained from organizations benefits professionals and volunteers across various fields. The network organizes training sessions for its own members and other professionals to make the shared knowledge base of the organizations more accessible.
- The network continues to have well-known activities such as Dry January, Week for Preventive Substance Abuse Work and Substance Abuse Days (Päihdepäivät), City for all -campaign. Alongside these are the working groups’ own activities, which evolve over time. These not only aim to strengthen organizational cooperation but also to ensure that citizens’ voices are increasingly heard.
2. The Network Channels Its Members’ Voices into a Common Narrative
- Non-governmental organizations are the voices and experts of their target groups, promoting well-being and health through their interactions. Through the information and collaboration gained from organizations, decision-makers are persuaded to respect the autonomy of these organizations, especially concerning funding changes. Funding should aim for sustainability, longevity, and flexibility.
- To the media and the public, the network appears as knowledgeable, diverse, and up-to-date. The external communication of the network is smooth, fact-based, and current. Efforts are made to enhance communication so that the diversity and expertise of the organizations are more visible.
- The Substance Abuse Prevention Network (EPT-verkosto) is an active and well-known player and a popular partner for collaboration. The network actively communicates its advocacy efforts to partners and member organizations. The exchange of information from organizations to advocacy work is strengthened.
Investing in preventive substance abuse work pays off
3. The Perspective of Preventive Substance Abuse Work Is Considered in Social Structures and Decision-Making
- Decision-makers understand that preventive substance abuse work saves resources and is socially sustainable. The network advocates for nationwide coordination of preventive substance abuse work, robust support structures, and a solid knowledge base. The network’s activities particularly support the goals of the Substance Abuse and Addiction Strategy (2021–2030) and the Preventive Substance Abuse Work Action Plan (2015–2025).
- The work of organizations as promoters, developers, and experts in preventive substance abuse work is recognized at the municipal and welfare region levels, in national prevention efforts, and in decision-making. Organizations are seen as strong partners in line with laws and national strategies. Collaboration opens up opportunities, such as the development of new project funding.
- Municipalities and welfare regions invest in preventive work. The network’s advocacy aims for each municipality and welfare region to have one or more coordinators for preventive substance abuse work, enabling them to promote work and operate cross-sectorally.
- Citizens also consider the prevention of substance abuse harm important. The comprehensive nature and significance of preventive substance abuse work are emphasized in external communication and opinion shaping.
Human-Centered Substance Abuse Policy
4. Alcohol-Related Harm Can Be Addressed
- The availability of alcohol in Finland does not increase. The network advocates against any easing of alcohol laws or increasing the availability of alcohol.
- There is greater attention to alcohol-related harm. The network and its organizations provide information on the harms of alcohol in various situations and offer expertise in discussions about alcohol. Even occasional alcohol use can cause harm, and alcohol consumption imposes significant costs and burdens on society.
- Society’s view of alcohol has changed towards a less substance-tolerant culture. Information about alcohol is available to adults to support their health and well-being. The network strengthens its promotion of the Dry January campaign aimed at adults, making it more recognized as part of the network’s activities. The network also supports positive trends among young people and recognizes substance-critical attitudes.
- International knowledge is made available to network actors. The network supports the goals of the EU Cancer Plan, for example, by promoting discussions on alcohol product labeling.
5. Strengthening the Role of Preventive Substance Abuse Work in Reducing Drug-Related Harm
- The importance of preventive work is not forgotten in discussions about drugs. The network and its organizations develop collaboration, particularly around preventive drug work with young people.
- Harm reduction work is promoted as part of the network’s activities. The network advocates for reducing drug-related harm to individuals, their loved ones, communities, and society and supports initiatives such as supervised consumption rooms. Reducing drug-related deaths is a commitment supported by local campaigns and information sharing.
- Medications used for substance purposes are considered in preventive substance abuse work. Efforts are made to highlight medication themes more strongly in communication and the development of shared network materials.
- The stigma faced by people who use drugs and other substances can be reduced. The network promotes the recognition of the dignity of people who use substances through materials, events, and training.
6. A Smoke-Free Finland Is Possible
- The goal is a smoke-free Finland. The network supports the goals of a Smoke-Free Finland by backing existing networks and sharing up-to-date information. Efforts are made to influence the use of new nicotine products through communication and training.
- The use of all tobacco and nicotine products decreases. Advocacy focuses on ensuring that legislation considers reducing the use of tobacco and nicotine products and raising the threshold for starting their use.
7. Focusing on the Harms of Gambling
- The goal is to prevent and reduce the harms caused by gambling to individuals, their loved ones, communities, and society. The network supports existing networks related to gambling work by sharing the knowledge gained from them. The network monitors gambling policy and takes a stand on it when necessary.
- It is crucial to mitigate the harms of gambling, such as addiction, financial difficulties, and social issues. The network’s perspective is that regulating the availability of gambling is the best way to achieve this. Comprehensive information about gambling-related harms is needed to support decisions and actions. The network promotes the recognition of gambling as a part of the field of preventive substance abuse work according to the law.
Substance Abuse Services and Preventive Work Form a Continuum
8. Preventive Substance Abuse Work Includes Harm Reduction and Access to Substance Abuse Services
- Preventive substance abuse work involves preventing, reducing, and mitigating substance-related harm. The network’s perspective is that effective substance abuse services form a continuum from preventive substance abuse work to substance abuse rehabilitation and support for sobriety. This continuum may include various actors such as municipalities, welfare regions, organizations, and communities.
- Within the substance abuse service system, support provided by organizations plays a crucial role. Organizations offer support to individuals using substances, their loved ones, and communities. Significant support includes peer work and the use of lived-experience expertise, both of which should be widely available. Loved ones should have access to statutory assistance not only from organizations but also from public entities.
- Timeliness, accessibility, free-of-charge services, diversity, and continuity are key to ensuring that individuals using substances receive the help they need. The network promotes these principles as part of its advocacy and training activities in collaboration with network organizations.
Previous international Events
RightToKnow – International Conference on Alcohol Labeling 10.10.2019 with EuroCare and EHYT: web site
Alcohol and Other Drugs in a Changing Society 11.-12.10.2019 with EHYT and NordAN: web site
Contact
Annika Eloranta
Head of Unit
annika.eloranta (at) ehyt.fi
+358504110357