The island of Iceland initiated a working plan titled Drug-Free Iceland in 1998-2003. At that time the plan was considered unrealistic and out of touch with modern science according to some experts. Today hecklers are silenced by the astonishing results of more than 20 years of decreasing figures of drinking, smoking and drug use among Icelandic youth. New norms of non-use have been established.
What happened and can it be repeated elsewhere?
On friday the 23th of February, ECAD was invited to another Island, Gotland in middle of the Baltic Sea to speak about how that island can be made drug free. Jon Sigfusson, director of Icelandic Center for Social and Research Analysis gave a presentation to local governments and civil society organisations on how continous and evidence based primary prevention have revolutionized the conditions for children growing up on Iceland.
The model is being exported to othe European countries since 2006 and has in 2017 gained worldwide attention through BBC documentary and articles in more than 40 newspapers. ECAD cities and municipalitites can do many things to improve the way the organize their preventative work.
Two opportunities to do so are in May 14-15 at ECADs 25th Mayors Forum in Gothenburg and at a workshop on methodology in Reykjavik in May 30-31. Contact ecad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more or visit
