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Public engagement on prevention of substance use and misuse amongst young people in Goa

Grant Awardees: Adarsh Ratnakaran & Brinda Singh Raikwar

The project aimed to empower young people in Goa to lead substance use awareness initiatives through a youth-led, co-created approach. Working closely with students, the team developed STRIDE (Strengthening Teens' Resolve in Drug Education), a practical campaign model that enables young people to design and implement substance use prevention activities within their own institutions and communities. Through co-production workshops, pilot campaigns, and interactive learning activities, the project promoted informed decision-making, harm reduction, peer support, and help-seeking, while creating sustainable resources that can be adapted and scaled across diverse settings.


Project Highlights:

  • Developed the "Take a STRIDE" DIY Handbook to support youth-led awareness campaigns.

  • Conducted co-production workshops involving 12 young people to co-design campaign strategies.

  • Successfully implemented pilot campaigns in two colleges across Goa. 

  • Engaged over 320 college students and trained 15 student campaign leaders. 

  • Established a scalable, youth-led model for substance use prevention and community engagement.

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