Promising Approaches for Interventions to Prevent Youth Recruitment and Participation in European Drugs Markets

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

Responding to youth recruitment and participation in criminal networks and drugs markets is a complex challenge. Scientific evidence in this area is limited. The University of Limerick (UL) is leading a 2-year EU-wide project on behalf of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) which has brought together policymakers, researchers, law enforcement agencies, and practitioners to collaborate in a new Community of Practice for interventions to prevent youth recruitment and participation in European drugs markets. The project is reviewing existing research and interventions, identifying possible facilitators or barriers to the implementation of programmes, and developing a conceptual framework and model to inform development and implementation of future interventions.

The Roundtable Event will 1) present initial findings from a review of academic and grey literature by the Project Team, and 2) present new and existing interventions being implemented and trialled in several European jurisdictions, including Ireland, France, Sweden. Participants will then be facilitated to reflect on presentations, and to engage in discussions which will further inform and guide the development of a new conceptual framework for interventions in this area. A particular focus will be placed on exploring barriers and enablers to interventions. The Roundtable Discussion will complement and build on papers and panel discussions addressing the topic of youth crime during the Conference.

The Project and the Roundtable Event support the implementation of the European Union’s Roadmap to Fight Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime as well as the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025. Action 12 of the Roadmap focuses on preventing criminal networks from recruiting children and young people, while Action 9 of the Strategy and Action Plan seeks to reduce recidivism among young drug-related crime offenders.

Subtopic

• Topic 2: Types of Offending / Drugs and Crime (European Drug Policies WG)

Chair

• Helen Fitzgerald, University of Limerick

Discussants

• Catherine Mary Naughton, REPPP University of Limerick

• Teodora Groshkova, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)

• Colm Walsh, Queen's University Belfast

• Karin Svanberg,, Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention

• Celia Bobet, MILDECA, France