Our Community

Parents & Concerned Citizens

We empower ordinary people to get involved and become advocates for drug-free communities. Through practical resources, guides, and tools, parents and citizens gain the ability to make a real difference.

Our Generation

We raise awareness across all age groups to build a resilient society that recognises risk and values prevention.

Our Children

We support early intervention, education, and healthy development—laying the foundation for a safe and drug-free future.

Our Youth

We equip teenagers with knowledge and practical tools that empower their choices and strengthen their path toward adulthood.

Our Parents

We help parents lead their families with confidence, care, and effective communication.

Parents, grandparents, family members, and friends all share one common wish: they want the best for their children and their community.
Raising children is joyful but also one of life’s most challenging responsibilities. Many parents experience guilt or self-doubt, especially when a child begins using drugs. They often blame themselves, regardless of how the drug use began.

This section of the OVOM website provides the essential information families need to prevent drug use. We help parents understand what their children know, how they gained this knowledge, and whether the information is accurate. We also guide parents toward reliable resources on drugs and drug policy.

Important questions include:

• What does my child know about drugs, and is that knowledge correct?
• How well informed am I as a parent or caregiver?
• Where can I find trustworthy information about drugs and prevention?
• How should drug-related issues be addressed at home and at school?
• What message do children receive when they observe tolerated drug outlets or open street dealing—outcomes of permissive policy?
• How does media coverage normalise drug use and influence impressionable minds?
• Does current drug policy align with or contradict family values?

OVOM provides parents with science-based facts, real stories, and a platform to speak out.
Parents are responsible for their children—but families and society must work together to give every child a drug-free environment in which to grow.

It is important to recognise that blaming those who struggle with addiction does not help. For many, drugs have become the only “solution” they know. Addicted individuals are already aware that their behaviour is harmful; what they lack is the ability or support to make a different choice.

The Importance of Positive Role Models

Children rarely follow what adults say—they follow what adults do.
When adults use substances to cope (painkillers for headaches, coffee for energy, alcohol for social ease), children observe this pattern. Later, when navigating social pressures, they may adopt similar behaviours using illicit drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, LSD, or ecstasy—especially in party settings where they want to fit in.

When substances are perceived as acceptable due to permissive government policy and easy availability, drug use becomes far more likely. Such policies contribute to environments that normalise drug use, increasing the risks for young people.

Drugs of any kind—legal or illegal—are toxic to both body and mind. They create new problems, deepen existing vulnerabilities, and can be deadly.

Four Essential Elements When Speaking With a Young Person About Drugs

1. Confrontation

Approach the young person honestly, openly, and at the right moment. Speak privately, without embarrassing them in front of peers. Productive confrontation means being fully present, willing to face whatever comes up, and capable of addressing the issue calmly. This skill can be learned—even by shy individuals.

2. Communication

Effective communication involves clearly sharing one’s thoughts while listening with empathy. Many young people struggle to express themselves verbally or emotionally. By understanding the components of communication, parents can become better listeners and more effective guides.

3. Control

Control means understanding the limits and responsibilities that accompany freedom. In discussions about drug use, it is important to gain agreement that the behaviour is unsafe. Together, you can set goals, adjust routines, and, if necessary, limit certain social contacts. Good control is a skill that can be developed and strengthened.

4. Code of Agreement

Every person lives by a set of moral codes—rules that help us survive.

When someone violates their own moral code, they often feel guilt, justify their behaviour, or blame others. Children may withdraw or say they are “misunderstood.”
Being able to talk honestly about mistakes reduces guilt and restores trust and capability. Drug use only complicates development and harms normal brain function, making these conversations even more important.

Our Environment

We aim to foster safe, supportive, and drug-free environments where families can thrive together. Prevention begins with the spaces in which children grow, learn, and play.

Latest Resources & Articles

Building Resilient Communities

Discover how communities around the world are implementing effective drug-prevention strategies and creating safer, healthier environments for families.

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