Mike Mann, an associate professor and graduate coordinator for the Department of Community and Environmental Health, is celebrating the publication of a two-part series in the peer-reviewed journal Health Promotion Practice. His practice-based research articles “Development and Guiding Principles of the Icelandic Model for Preventing Adolescent Substance Use” and “Implementing the Icelandic Model for Preventing Adolescent Substance Use” review and outline a prevention model that aims to reduce adolescent substance use, such as consuming alcohol, tobacco and other harmful drugs.
The two-part series describes the background, theory, guiding principles of the approach and the core steps used in the successful implementation of the model, all in an effort to educate other researchers on the Icelandic Prevention Model.
As explained in the articles, the Icelandic Prevention Model was established in the mid-1990s as a response to the alarming rates of adolescent substance use in Iceland. The model was formed by a group of policymakers and administrative leaders, elected officials and social scientists who came together to explore approaches to solving this societal issue.
Additionally, The Atlantic previously covered the success of this model and How Iceland Got Teens to Say No to Drugs.