They also compare the Icelandic monitor with the usual Dutch monitor on young people’s health. Based on these discussions and studies, they make preliminary recommendations about the future of the Icelandic prevention model in the Netherlands.
The four recommendations from the interim evaluation are:
- Continue to monitor the implementation of the Icelandic model in the Netherlands.
- Put municipalities in the lead.
- Ensure better alignment between the local youth health monitor and the implementation of the Icelandic model at municipal level.
- Continue to support municipalities in implementing the Icelandic model.
The Icelandic prevention model is an approach based on scientific insights aimed at preventing substance use (alcohol, tobacco and drugs) among young people. Six Dutch municipalities are participating in the Trimbos Institute and Netherlands Youth Institute’s policy-forming learning programme, in which they are implementing the Icelandic model in their municipalities from 2018 to 2021. The six participating municipalities are Amersfoort, Hardenberg, the Kempengemeenten partnership (Bergeijk, Bladel, Eersel, Reusel-De Mierden), Súdwest-Fryslân, Texel and Urk.
During the policy-forming learning programme, the Trimbos Institute and the Netherlands Youth Institute are examining the extent to which the Icelandic prevention model can be implemented in the Netherlands and whether the model adds value to existing prevention programmes in the Netherlands. This interim evaluation contributes to this research and was conducted approximately halfway through the policy-forming learning programme. As a result, this report does not yet provide a complete picture of the entire policy-forming learning programme, because at the time of this interim evaluation the municipalities had not yet completed all phases of the Icelandic model. A full evaluation of the policy-forming learning programme will follow after the programme has ended, in 2021.
Published earlier:
- A factsheet The Icelandic approach to substance use among young people – Opportunities offered by this prevention model for the Dutch context.
- An underlying literature review The Icelandic approach to substance use among young people – An exploration of the scientific literature in which the Icelandic prevention model is described in detail.
Download the interim evaluation here.
Glos Educatief and Arko Sports Media organised the Healthy School Iceland study trip from 22 to 27 September 2019. Read the report here. A report was also published during the trip via a blog.