Give Childhood a Chance and Keep Youth Drug Free!

Blue Cross work is needed today more than ever before. The rapid urbanisation around the world and especially in Africa leave people to difficult socio-economical situations. When unemployment is high, infrastructure is not ready for more people and when there is a lack of schools and health care systems  there is a high risk for social exclusion. The average age is African population is low and this is why we need to target protecting youth from socail exclusion. Societal pressures are high contributing factors for increased use for substances.  As Blue Cross movement we need to courageously bring alcohol harm as a topic to discussions to be considered in all societal changes and we need to be ready to act and we need to do it now! 

In June and again in August week the Nordic Blue Cross leaders met with French, Swiss and German leaders to discuss effective ways to work together in order to strengthen the International Blue Cross collaboration. There is a high level of commitment to ensure sustainability and we need all Blue Cross organisations to take an active role in their local setting. It is the local drive that makes the difference.

We still have a lot to do before alcohol harm is acknowledged like tobacco.

All alcohol causes harm and it is time to admit it. Regulating and limiting the access to the product is the key so that we can prevent the alcohol harm. People still drink even I they know alcohol is harmful for them and we need graceful ways to help people to reflect on their alcohol use so that they would feel safe to discover reasons for their alcohol use. Also, people with alcohol dependency need Blue Cross and we need to stand for their rights for treatment and support and help the significant others who have been effected by the alcohol harm. 

During past months the International Secretariat has lobbied for better alcohol policies especially in Baltic Countries and for Finland and for Chad. We have trained our members to show the results of their work in an effective way and by taking into account social accountability methods by hearing the voice of service users and other stakeholders. IBC has also taken part on 'Too young to Drink' Campaign to highlight the conserns of fetal alcohol syndrome.