Speakers
Description
Authors: Renate K. Vesterbekkmo (KORUS Central, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway), Yvonne Larsen (KORUS Oslo, Norway), Katrin Øien (KORUS central, St. Olavs university hospital. Trondheim, Norway)
Background: Effective substance use prevention requires coordinated, evidence-based efforts across the entire prevention continuum. In 2023, Norway became the first country to pilot the Review of Prevention Systems (RePS), a tool developed by UNODC to assess national systems against the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (UNODC/WHO). The pilot aimed to identify system strengths and areas for improvement, as well as to test the tool’s applicability.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and mapping of 187 interventions across age groups, risk levels, and settings. The assessment examined intervention coverage, evidence base, coordination structures, and use of epidemiological data. Interventions were drawn from different regions, with varying levels of representation.
Results: Norway’s prevention system is broad and well-established, with interventions spanning the continuum. Most target adolescents, particularly in school settings. Approximately 25% were assessed as evidence-based or strongly evidence-informed, supported by regional coordination and local data. Another 25% were non-evidence-based, mainly among locally implemented universal programmes. One third were classified as supporting services. National-level interventions had the lowest share of non-evidence-based content (17%). Despite lacking formal accreditation or conditional funding, the system demonstrated strong regional consistency.
Discussion: The Norwegian system demonstrates how coordination and data-informed planning can underpin a robust prevention infrastructure. Still, key gaps remain. Local uptake of evidence-based interventions, especially in universal adolescent programs, is limited. Outcome-focused evaluations are rare, and few practitioners receive structured training. While some non-evidence-based interventions appear promising, they highlight the need for more systematic evaluation. Insight gained from RePS has contributed to the development of a national youth substance use prevention initiative, aimed at scaling up resources, increase decision-maker awareness, and serve as a system baseline. Norway’s experience offers valuable insights for countries seeking to enhance their prevention systems through structured assessment and strategic follow-up
| Conflict of interest | The authors declare no conflict of interest. |
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