Priority AreasNiko Soba!

Our goal is to implement evidence-based programs and activities that reduce the risks of substance use among children and young people through skills, knowledge and opportunities to practice healthy living SCAD is committed to ensuring children and young people remain healthy, sober, and thrive in supportive environments. We focus on prevention, equipping young Kenyans with knowledge, skills, and tools to avoid substance use and make informed decisions about their well-being

We implement Life skills education programs in schools and communities, reducing the risk of substance use among youth. These programs empower young people to resist peer pressure, handle media influences, and cope with life's challenges healthily. Our approach involves collaborations that provide youth with the foundation for healthy, sober lives.

Promoting positive parenting is a key strategy, utilizing social media, mainstream media, and parent meetings. We recognize parents as crucial agents of change and behavior formation. Our efforts support parents in creating warm, supportive homes conducive to healthy child and youth development, equipping them to guide their children through difficulties that could lead to substance use.

We emphasize the vital role of schools in supporting youth sobriety. We encourage active involvement of teachers in providing appropriate drug education and fostering an environment that discourages substance use. By bridging the gap between parents and educators, we aim to create a comprehensive support system for healthy lifestyles and substance use prevention.

Our programs amplify artistic expression opportunities as alternative coping mechanisms for youth. Through art, music, and drama, young people can express emotions and experiences healthily, reducing the likelihood of substance use. We also promote outdoor activities like camping to foster resilience and build connections among peers, both locally and internationally. These activities develop crucial life skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and stress management in engaging settings.

We foster partnerships with local and international organizations to enhance prevention efforts, provide technical assistance and capacity building, and develop evidence-based training programs and resources. This comprehensive approach aims to equip professionals and community members with the tools needed to effectively address substance use challenges and reduce its prevalence in our communities.

Our goal is to champion for policies and legislation that prioritize the health, rights and wellbeing of children and youth, specifically to mitigate the harms of substance use We are dedicated to enhancing policies that benefit young people where we scan the policy landscape to identify areas to advocate for policy changes. Our focus is on development and promotion of policies and legislation that tackle critical issues such as reducing substance use, safeguarding children's rights, and fostering youth development and well-being.

Importantly, in collaboration with other stakeholders, our advocacy work focuses on targeted awareness campaigns using mass media and digital platforms to reach policy makers, educate the public, garner strong support for evidence-based policy changes that benefit young people.

Finally, we engage policymakers through ongoing collaboration and engagement, to shape legislation and policies that genuinely align with the best interests of children and youth. Our ultimate goal is to create a policy environment that supports the healthy development and well-being of young people, grounded in solid evidence and responsive to their needs.

our goal is to carry out research that identifies and promotes successful prevention strategies and supports evidence-based policy development to address substance use.

We carry out periodic quantitative studies to measure substance use-related problems, providing a data-driven basis for our interventions and policy recommendations. We complement this with qualitative assessments, including focus group discussions with young people, to understand their perspectives and involve them as active participants in developing solutions.

Our research also encompasses desk studies and environmental scans to identify needs and inform our strategy. We evaluate our projects to assess impact, learn lessons, and guide decision-making, helping us refine our approaches and scale our impact. This approach helps build a strong evidence base for effective policies and interventions, serving to reduce substance use and promote healthier communities.