Implementation of the Icelandic Prevention Model

A critical discussion of its worldwide transferability

Bibliographic Data

ID21605057
AuthorsIna M Koning (0000-0003-0305-0487, Interdisciplinary Social Science, Youth Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands, corresponding author), Charlotte De Kock (0000-0003-0527-5217, Ghent University), Peer van der Kreeft (Ghent University), Andrew Percy (0000-0003-4156-1536, Sociology Social Policy and Social Work, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK), Zila M Sanchez (0000-0002-7427-7956, Universidade Federal de São Paulo), Gregor Burkhart (0000-0002-5180-8590, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction)
Year2021
Volume28
Issue4
Pages367-378
Publication date2021-07-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDrugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09687637.2020.1863916
OpenAlexW3114059651
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited87

Environmental drug prevention interventions are gaining momentum alongside and in concert with ‘classical’ prevention practices such as school, family and community interventions. The Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) is particularly gaining attention because of its innovative environmental approach and because of its supposed impact on lowering (the onset of) substance use among youth during the past two decades in Iceland. Although this model is rooted in well accepted prevention principles and has been prominent in public discussions and the media across the world, much remains unknown about the active ingredients, the core elements and their contribution to lowering (the onset of) substance use among youth. In this discussion paper we highlight the model’s strengths (bottom-up approach, local assessment and dissemination, multi-component, targeting risk and protective factors, supervised leisure activities, curfew hours) and raise some critical concerns (transferability, external and internal validity) that should be considered and dealt with before implementing, adapting and evaluating the model in other contexts

Best practice · Economic growth · Economics · Icelandic · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Transferability · Community Health and Development · Health Policy Implementation Science · Law · Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes