Speakers
Description
Authors: Frank Schulte-Derne (LWL-Coordination Office for Addiction Issues, Germany), Bartosz Kehl (National Centre for Prevention of Addictions, Poland), Rebekka Kleinat (LWL), Jeroen Aerts (Integra Limburg), Sylwia Opasińska (National Centre for Prevention of Addictions, Poland), Robert Rejniak (The Polish Society for the Prevention of Drug Abuse), Ellen Gibney (Integra Limburg)
Chair: Frank Schulte-Derne
This international symposium explores how early intervention and selective prevention in the field of substance use can be strengthened through cross-sector collaboration and European cooperation. Organized under the umbrella of the euro net network (euronetprev.org), it brings together experiences from Belgium, Poland and Germany to highlight innovative strategies for supporting young people and families at risk.
The symposium focuses on two key projects. FreD (Early Intervention for First-Time Drug Offenders) is a German prevention program developed by LWL and adapted in various European countries through euro net partners. It targets young people who have come into contact with police or been noticed in schools due to their substance use. The first two presentations explore findings from an evaluation of FreD in Poland and the program’s ongoing development in Germany, including digitalization and adaptation to the new policy contexts of the cannabis decriminalization.
Make the Difference (MTD), in contrast, is a project that was developed within the euro net network from the outset. It focuses on structural prevention by fostering intersectoral collaboration—especially between addiction services, child protection, and youth services—to support families affected by addiction. The final two presentations explore the development of MTD as a model for collaborative prevention and its real-world implementation in Belgium.
Across both projects, professionals from euro net countries have shared expertise and worked toward common goals. This symposium illustrates how shared values and coordinated action across Europe can advance inclusive, evidence-informed prevention that responds to real needs in vulnerable populations.
Abstract 1
FreD Next Level – Digitalization of early intervention for first-time drug users
Frank Schulte-Derne (LWL-Coordination Office for Addiction Issues, Germany)
Background: The FreD intervention program (early intervention for first-time drug users) has been established in Germany for 25 years. In 2007 - 2010, the program was transferred to other European countries. After further developments, “FreD Next Level” (12/2022-12/2024) was launched by blu:prevent (Blaues Kreuz e.V.) and the LWL Coordination Office for Addiction Issues in Germany. The aim of this was to transform FreD digitally. The initiative was triggered by increasing digitalization, the changing communication habits of young people (14 - 21 years) and the legal changes brought about by the new Cannabis Act. At the heart of the project was the co-creation approach, in which young people were actively involved in designing the content to ensure relevance and accessibility.
Methods: Using a co-creation and user-centred design process, the team developed a digital course called "fred_online", which was piloted at five model sites across Germany. A blended learning approach enabled both fully online and hybrid interventions. The implementation included the development of a social media marketing strategy and a dedicated youth-friendly website (www.wastutfred.de). In addition, schools were involved through awareness-raising materials and a practical guide, distributed nationally.
Results: fred_online is available for all FreD locations and is embedded in blu:prevent's platform. Despite a temporary decrease in participant numbers due to the introduction of the Cannabis Act (KCanG), new referral pathways via schools and youth services were established. Digital tools also improved access for young people in rural areas.
Discussion: Initial feedback indicates increased outreach and acceptance of digital formats. However, sustained referrals and long-term integration remain ongoing challenges. Strengthened collaboration with schools and youth services will be essential for the sustainability of the programme. FreD Next Level serves as a model for future digital prevention initiatives.
Conflict of interest: No conflics of interest. Project-Funding by German Federal Ministry of Health.
Abstract 2
Implementation of FreD in Poland
Sylwia Opasińska (National Centre for Prevention of Addictions, Poland), Bartosz Kehl (National Centre for Prevention of Addictions, Poland), Robert Rejniak (The Polish Society for the Prevention of Drug Abuse)
Background: The FreD goes net program was introduced in Poland in 2010 as a tool for youth experimenting with psychoactive substances. Since then, regular trainings and seminars on Motivational Interviewing have been held. A comprehensive evaluation conducted in 2019-2020 confirmed the effectiveness of the program and identified areas for improvement. Based on these results, the implementer's manual was updated. In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pilot version of the program was developed in an online format.
Methods: The FreD is implemented in Poland mainly to people aged 13-19 who experiment or use harmful psychoactive substances and experience related problems. The program uses a strategy of brief preventive intervention and motivation to change risky behavior using Motivational Interviewing. The evaluation of the FreD program in Poland was aimed at assessing its effectiveness as an early intervention tool for youth experimenting with psychoactive substances. The program’s impact on participants’ behavior and motivation was assessed, complemented by IDI interviews with facilitators.
Results: The FreD program in Poland currently involves around 400 facilitators and reached about 1,800 participants in 2024. Evaluation included data from 312 participants at two stages and 241 participants at all three stages. The findings were summarized in a comprehensive report and a doctoral dissertation.
Discussion: Experiences of the FreD program in Poland demonstrate that this model can be an effective tool for early intervention, especially when supported by well-prepared staff and continuous improvement of working methods. Further efforts are needed to develop the remote format, which could increase the program’s accessibility.
Conflict of interest: No conflicts of interest.
Abstract 3
Structural Prevention & Cross-Sector Collaboration in Supporting Families with Addiction Issues (Make the difference)
Rebekka Kleinat (LWL),Frank Schulte-Derne (LWL-Coordination Office for Addiction Issues, Germany)
Background: Children from families with addiction issues face increased risks of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can affect their mental health and development. The Make the Difference (MTD) project (2021–2023) aimed to promote child protection in these families by fostering cooperation between addiction and child protection services across 12 EU countries. The follow-up project Qualification Makes the Difference (2024) developed a comprehensive curriculum for professional training that integrated lived experiences.
Methods: The project focused on practical, action-oriented interventions based on existing research. These efforts aimed to bridge gaps in professional practice by providing tools, training and support for cooperation between help services. In MTD, professionals co-developed a guide for cooperation agreements between addiction and child protection services while also developing these agreements themselves. International workshops facilitated peer exchange and mutual learning. In the second project, insights were gathered from 64 families across 9 countries, using interviews and surveys. A Design Thinking process was used to co-create a modular training curriculum, ensuring it was adaptable across sectors.
Results: MTD resulted in 12 signed cooperation agreements, an international seminar with 43 professionals, and the creation of a practical guide on cooperation agreements. Core messages include prioritizing child safety, addressing addiction and parenting simultaneously, and fostering intersectoral collaboration. The second phase produced an open-access curriculum to enhance professional practice across sectors, emphasizing lived experience and intergenerational trauma.
Discussion: The projects demonstrate how international collaboration can address complex family needs and prevent ACEs, despite challenges like legal frameworks, cultural differences and stigma. Insights from multiple countries emphasize the importance of a coordinated, stigma-free approach, with the potential for scaling up across Europe.
| Conflict of interest | No conflcts of interests. Project fundings by European Commission, the German Federal Ministry of Health. |
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