These global International Standards summarize the currently available scientific evidence, describing interventions and policies that have been found to result in positive prevention outcomes and their characteristics. Concurrently, the global International Standards identify the major components and features of an effective national drug prevention system. It is our hope that the International Standards will assist policy makers worldwide to develop programmes, policies and systems that are a truly effective investment in the future of children, youth, families and communities. This work builds on and recognizes the work of many other organizations (e.g. EMCDDA, CCSA, CICAD, Mentor, NIDA, WHO) which have previously developed standards and guidelines on various aspects of drug prevention.

The Standards have been recognized by Member States as a useful tool to promote evidence-based prevention. The Standards aim:

• To summarize the currently available scientific evidence, describing effective interventions and policies and their characteristics.
• To identify the major components and features of an effective national drug prevention system.
• Ultimately, to help policy makers worldwide to develop programmes, policies and systems that are a truly effective investment in the future of children, youth, families and communities.