![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Alcohol Abuse has assumed immense proportions among youths in Uganda and even globally. According to UYDEL (2009) evaluation showed that alcohol abuse has infiltrated the out of school youths especially those on streets and slum areas. Increase in alcohol abuse is attributed to availability, poor enforcement, high levels of stress, and lack of adequate and concise information on alcohol/drugs, economic factors and a growingly intricate web of alcohol and drug supply from the rural to urban areas. An increase in alcohol abuse has been matched by a correlation in alcohol addiction and related social and economic consequences of HIV/AIDS, prostitution and crime.
Methods: UYDEL implemented a Peer to Peer Alcohol Abuse Prevention Model with an award from Mentor Foundation International as a prevention method of reaching high risk youths. The model is hinged on a multiplier effect of training an initial number of peer educators who consequently reach out to other high risk youths with drug abuse prevention messages. Upon evaluation of the initial Peer to Peer Programme work among 16 NGOs, 480 peer educators were trained and each peer reached out to 10 youths each with alcohol prevention messages. Subsequently, the peer educators have done referrals, counseling and promoted healthy seeking behaviors among young people.
Results: Peer work contributed to an increase in the number of youth seeking psycho social support, counseling and rehabilitation services at UYDEL centers. Increased capacity of NGOs in handling alcohol/drug related problems. Decline in drug abuse cases in slum areas and increase in healthy seeking behaviours. NGO staff had more time in providing psychosocial support to young people since they had acquired specialized skills in handling drug related problems.
Conclusions: Programmes which involve young people as active participants are likely to succeed compared to others; design should incorporate young people for ownership and sustainability.