The term “community” refers to a space where effective preventive systems can be
developed and applied. Community is generaly based on a sense of connection, identity and
trust. One of the fundamental reasons for establishing effective community implementation
systems is to increase the likelihood that the target population will experience direct benefit

from evidence-based preventive interventions. Another reason is that an effective
implementation system enables the establishment of multiple, comprehensive and integrated
prevention, and even early treatment services for a sepcific populations, vulnerable groups
and individuals. The role of the local community in the prevention of addiction is to bring
effective strategies and policies that enable people to live healthily lives. Effective preventive
interventions are based on a good knowledge and understanding of the nature and extent of
the use of psychoactive substances in a particular community.
National and international groups, as well as government organizations may support the use
of evidence-based interventions, but they are still not widely implemented. Some of the
reasons lie in the challenges faced by policymakers and the environment in the communities
themselves. In addition to barriers at the local level, in the community environment, effective
evidence-based interventions can be hindered by policies, various funding decisions and
established inefficient practices and other factors.
Since 2002, Association for Addiction Prevention NARKO-NE has been implementing the
mentoring program Older Brother, Older Sister, which brings together a volunteer (older
brother/sister) and a child (younger sister/brother) with the aim of developing a quality, caring
and supportive relationship. This goal is achieved through two forms: the work of a volunteer
with a child and the work of an expert with a volunteer.

Boombar is a project intended for high school students in their free time. Boombar is a
mobile non-alcoholic cocktail bar that offers a safe environment for the socialization of
children and young people and healathy alcohol-free alternatives.