Hope UK - Prevention

Prevention

Hope UK’s aim is to prevent the harm related to alcohol, tobacco or illegal drug use.

Hope UK does this by encouraging individuals – especially children and young people – to choose to make healthy choices about using substances. This is called "Primary Prevention" because the aim is to stop drug use before it starts.

The majority of young people are not part of the illegal drug culture, although many more smoke and/or drink. Hope UK’s values lead to a strong emphasis on peer influence and role modelling. What each person does affects those around them. "Significant" adults like parents, children’s and youth leaders have an impact on children as they grow up by what they do and say.

There is debate about the effectiveness of prevention and there are no easy answers. The charity provides a positive education that celebrates life and promotes good health. Activities which help children and young people to improve their decision-making ability and knowledge are also part of the charity's prevention work.