In Loving Memory of Jeff Lee
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Jeff Lee, who died peacefully on Friday, 21st February 2025, surrounded by his loving family, after bravely living with cancer for 10 years.
Jeff was a visionary leader and a passionate advocate for prevention. As the first Executive Director of ISSUP, he played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s mission, vision, and values. Working alongside Joanna and Jack, the original board and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), he laid the foundation for ISSUP’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the drug demand reduction workforce. His passion for the field, especially in prevention, was both boundless and inspiring, and his leadership helped ISSUP achieve remarkable milestones. Jeff was particularly devoted to the development of National Chapters and Scientific Support, and his influence is deeply embedded in ISSUP’s ongoing work.
Prior to ISSUP, Jeff served as the Executive Director of Mentor International, an NGO dedicated to substance abuse prevention. He also led The Advisory Council for Alcohol and Drug Education, contributed to the Universal Prevention Curriculum with Applied Prevention Science International, and managed the European Drug Prevention Quality Standards (EDPQS) Phase II project at Liverpool John Moores University. His energy helped ignite and support the development of the European Society of Prevention Research (EUSPR). His work took him to more than 90 countries, where he provided consultancy services for governments, the EU, WHO, and UNODC.
From his initial background as a teacher to his Master’s degree in Human Relationships, Jeff always asserted the role of education and the need to promote personal and social skills, and competencies within a health behaviour context as a key element for tackling substance use prevention. His focus was upon addressing the factors that result in problematic health behaviours to promote more positive alternatives.
Even after retiring from ISSUP in March 2024, Jeff continued to dedicate his time and expertise to the field. He volunteered with ISSUP to develop the Investing in Evidence-based Prevention course, ensuring his legacy of education and empowerment lived on.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff was a devoted husband, dad, and grandad. He cherished time with his wife, his three sons, their partners, and his granddaughter. He took great pride in raising his children to be independent thinkers and embraced family moments wholeheartedly. A passionate football fan, Jeff followed Nottingham Forest and delighted in introducing colleagues and friends around the world to his team. He also found joy in playing golf, listening to music, and catching up with the friends he had made around the world.
Jeff’s impact extends far beyond organisations and projects; he touched the lives of countless colleagues, collaborators, and friends with his kindness, wisdom, and passion for prevention. His generosity, warmth and encouragement left an indelible mark on the field of prevention and on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Those of us fortunate enough to have known Jeff will always remember his reminders to take care and keep smiling. The ISSUP family will continue to honour his legacy through our work, inspired by his vision and unwavering dedication.
We welcome you to leave a memory, message or tribute to Jeff along with a photograph you may have with him.
Commemoration Event
ISSUP and Jeff's colleagues will be holding a commemorative event to honour Jeff's contributions to the field of health education and prevention. There is no registration required, and everyone in our community is welcome. Please click on the link at the given time and join the event directly.
When: Mar 18, 2025
Time: 03:00 PM London
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83525057436?pwd=ZuaaKh9fTAKw4m7lCpv2a8FWJwcI86.1
Passcode: 978729
Tributes
May his soul and soul of other faithfully departed rest in Perfect Peace Amen
Today, we gather with heavy hearts to celebrate the life of an extraordinary individual Jeff. A man whose spirit shone brightly, illuminating the paths of all who were fortunate enough to know him. Jeff will be remembered not just for his accomplishments but for the peace and prosperity he stood for and the profound impact he had on countless lives, both within Liberia and beyond. HopeCare-Liberia Executive Director Mr. Sampson Dugbah said we love you Jeff till we meet again Goodbye 🌹
May your kindness and selfless contributions to humanity render you eternal rest.
Nana Akwasi Bonsu
(Executive Director)
Governance Watch
Jeff made prevention learning and implementation simple, well knowledgeable , he left a great legacy for generations to learn from,
I never met you in person Jeff. But I am in awe of all the good values I am reading about you right now. ...Your love for family. Your passion for training others in the field of drug-use prevention. Your brave battle with cancer for a whooping 10 years. Your courage in the face of it all. My prayers and condolences goes to your family at this time. You have run your race so well and given those of us behind you good principles to work and live by.....Thank you for serving your world so well while you were here with us on earth. This is wishing you Good night Jeff, and praying that your soul will rest in perfect peace.
From all of us at YAHI Foundation, we are honoured to pay tribute to Jeff Lee, a remarkable individual who dedicated his life to making a difference. His contributions to the field of drug demand reduction have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire us to work towards a better world.
The world will continue to remember you, Jeff, a true champion for positive change. Your legacy will continue to inspire us to make a difference.
Rest in Power Champion.
Jeff Lee was a beacon of kindness, wisdom, and generosity. His unwavering spirit, warm heart, and dedication to helping others left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Whether through his words of encouragement, his infectious laughter, his acts of selflessness, Jeff touched countless lives in ways that will never be forgotten.
Though he may no longer be with us in person, his legacy lives on in the memories we cherish, the lives he influenced, and the love he shared. May we honor his life by carrying forward his kindness, compassion, and unwavering belief in the good in people.
Rest in peace, Jeff. You will always be in our hearts.
Oh what a great loss to humanity!!!
You have touched lives in diverse ways sir. Your impacts linger and we hope to keep the ball rolling May your gentle soul continue to rest in peace
Jeff's enduring wit and humor will stay with us always, along with his deep caring for all human beings, especially those affected by substance use disorders. He was always there to listen and to lend a hand when asked. People just wanted to be around him. He was iconic in his field of expertise, and passionate about his pursuits. His family was particularly important to him, and he cared about the families of all he knew. I could go on and on, but most importantly, his loss will be felt always. Condolences and hugs to all those lucky enough to know him.
May his soul and those of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Pachiko Ahmed Ayo, Nigeria
Following ISSUP activities online has built My capacity and resilient even improving my working skill with displaced persons in Nigeria.
Our team has also been able to take up the drug abuse information to schools and streets to help young people stay off drug abuse.
Jeff Lee had been a great MENTOR for driving the force that support those who have drug management problems even when he was also managing his Health. May his soul rest in Peace. Careen Nkereuwem, Nigeria.
My sincere condolences to his dear wife, children and ISSUP fraternity. May his gentle soul RIP.
I came to hear about your good works. Though i never met you but your works brought me close to as much as knowing you. You were celebrated in life and is still being celebrated after the humble life you lived. I pray that the good works you laid the foundation for continue to speak for you and god console all the immediate, extended and work family you have left behind.
In Memory of Jeff
Jeff was not only one of our most important mentors in prevention but also a dear friend whose wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication to evidence-based prevention profoundly shaped our professional journey. His insights, passion, and belief in effective, science-backed approaches continue to inspire our work and will live on in the prevention community for years to come.
CONTINUE REST WITH THE ANGELS
Knowing that by loving your neighbors, you end up loving God and yourself, which is what you stood for!!. With a deep heart, we still have hope that there's a in heaven for you!!
We mourn the loss of a true leader in harm reduction Whose unwavering dedication to saving lives and advocating for compassionate drug policies change the world. Your legacy will continue to insire those fighting for a more just and humane aroach to substance use.
My deepest condolences to their loved ones.
I was honoured to meet Jeff, as facilitator of the online INEP-Plus the 2022-23 training the trainer course. I was immediately struck by his ability to connect with people, even via the screen! His knowledge was always accompanied by irony, lightness and the ability to explain complex concepts in a simple way. Even if I had the pleasure to meet him only for a brief period of time, and only online, his smile and positivity stayed with me. He was someone who genuinely worked to make the world a better place. The passion, dedication and love for his work and for the international community he served will stay forever. RIP ❤️
As we are in mourning Mr. Jeff Lee's Life , I take this opportunity to thanks him and his family for his entire responsibility towars his works. We are keeping in mind him, may his soul rest in peace and family be safe
Praying for HIS Soul to Rest in Peace in our Lord.
Praying for HIS bereaved family members to bear this irreplaceable LOSS for Them and Humanity.
I hope your ideas will be adopted!
It is with a heavy heart that I celebrate the life of Jeff Lee, a beloved—colleague whose presence brought light, love, and warmth to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Jeff was more than just a mentor; he was a source of strength, wisdom, and kindness.
Though our hearts ache with the pain of this loss, we find comfort in the beautiful memories we shared. The lessons Jeff taught us, the love he gave us, and the moments we spent together will remain in our hearts forever. His spirit will continue to live on in the kindness we show, the love we give, and the lives we touch—just as he touched ours.
I remember his wisdom for substance use prevention was un matched and always encouraged us to mentor others in this field. I have fondest memories of him whenever he visited Kampala.
Much as his presence may no longer be with us in this world, but his soul will forever be a part of us. May God comfort his immediate family and professional colleagues in this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Jeff Lee.
Mutaawe Rogers
Uganda Youth Development Link
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Jeff. You must lose him but he hasn't been a lost to eternity because the good work that he's done and the impact he's made gives him eternal existence. Yes, he lives in every existing soul he impacted. May he rest peacefully in the bosom place of his maker.
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