Southwestern Public Health Tackles Youth Substance Abuse with Icelandic Model

As of November 10th, 2025, Southwestern Public Health is taking action to address the concerning trend of higher substance use rates among teens in their region compared to the rest of Ontario. The local health unit plans to adapt the Icelandic Prevention Model, which has successfully reduced drug and alcohol use among Icelandic youth, to reflect the specific needs and data of their community.

According to the health unit's data, more than one in three young people in the St. Thomas, Woodstock, Oxford, and Elgin counties area reported using alcohol, cannabis, and smoking for the first time in Grade 9. Additionally, over half of the region's youth reported drinking alcohol in the previous year, about 10% higher than the provincial average.

To better understand the root causes and guide their prevention efforts, Southwestern Public Health will be asking high school students to complete a comprehensive survey from November 24th to December 5th. The survey will cover topics like substance use, school experiences, family communication, friendships, mental health, and how students spend their free time.

"We know substance use is a complex issue and it requires a complex solution," said Jessica Austin, a health promotor with the health unit. "We've done a lot of work using provincial data, but now we will be able to work more effectively with the local data, to come together and get into the root causes."

The Icelandic Prevention Model, developed in the 1990s, has been adopted in communities around the world, including some in Canada. It focuses on building a sense of belonging and community engagement rather than targeting specific behaviors. Southwestern Public Health plans to work closely with local agencies, schools, and other stakeholders to implement this evidence-based approach and help their youth thrive.