EMCDDA Webinar: Young people and drug use — how can we keep them safe?

This webinar took place on 19 June 2023. Watch the recording >>

Objective: To explore different professional perspectives on ‘what to do’ with young people who have experimented with drugs.

Background: Smoking and drinking among 15- to 16-year-old school students are showing signs of decline, but there are concerns around potentially risky cannabis use and the challenges posed by new addictive behaviours. These are among the findings from the latest report from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

This webinar will explore how to address young people and what to do if there are signs of substance use: which type of help to seek and how to to keep them safe.

In conversation with:

• Nora Vitali & Nakisa Kendall, Psychologists, IMPULS, Luxembourg
• Helena Valente, Psychologist, Kosmicare, Portugal
• Owen Bowden-Jones, Consultant in Addiction Psychiatry, Honorary Professor at University College London, United Kingdom

Chairperson: Rachele Donini, Prevention expert, Italy

Opening and closing remarks: Alexis Goosdeel, EMCDDA Director

Format: EMCDDA opening remarks, panellists’ questions, guided discussion, Q&A 

Participants will respond to the following questions:

1. Minors and drugs: how to address adolescents and substance use? A case-study from Luxembourg
2. School is over, the summer festival season is open: what can we do to keep young people safe? A harm reduction perspective
3. The ‘drug conversation’: a doctor’s perspective on young people using drugs

Length: 1.5 hours

Participants: The webinar is open to all upon registration, after which the person will receive a link to connect.

Date: 19 June, 12.00-13.30 Lisbon time (WET) / 13.00-14.30 Brussels time (CET)

Platform: Zoom