New technologies and modern media play an important role in the daily life and communication of young people. According to the EMCDDA there is a general lack of services in Europe addressing young people using illicit drugs. Most existing offers provide adult-oriented services.
This is where web-based offers can provide a possibility to reach young drug users. Other advantages of web-based methods is their cost-effectiveness and the possibility for services in more rural areas. Last but not least, the target group itself has expressed their interest in web-based interventions.
Studies on the effectiveness of web-based interventions are broadly available for mental health conditions and problematic alcohol use. Recent analyses and studies on interventions aiming at cannabis use reduction, are also promising.
Despite the findings above, the number of good quality interventions is still limited and their effectiveness has not been sufficiently evaluated.
All of the above call for an expansion of the current supply of web-based offers for young drug consumers.
A guideline for the development and implementation of effective web-based interventions can promote further development in that area and support prevention experts who would like to offer web-based interventions to young drug users.
Therefore the main objective of this guideline is to give recommendations for the development and implementation of effective web-based offers interventions for young people using illicit drugs and particularly new psychoactive substances.
This guideline has been developed from februari 2014 until september 2015 in the framework of the EU-funded project “Click for Support” and will remain valid until 2018.
Click for Support – Guideline for effective web-based interventions in selective drug prevention