OVOM's Four Pillars
Welcome to OVOM’s Four Pillars. Here you will find great information relating to substance abuse, addiction, prevention, and caring for your children and youth. We are constantly seeking new partnerships of like-minded organisations to share knowledge.
We believe that knowledge is power – it’s one of the ways that as a community we can bring light into the darkness when it comes to the traps of pulling our children and loved ones into the pit of addiction to both legal and illegal substances.
If you would like to share information on the OVOM’s platform, please contact us.
The Four Pillars
Legal Framework & Children's Rights
Legal reforms, advocacy for children’s rights, and current legislative focus form the foundation of OVOM’s legal framework. Our resources cover international conventions and drug control treaties that protect communities and children.
Drug Control Conventions
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961
As amended by the 1972 Protocol
Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971
International control of psychotropic substances
UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs 1988
Convention against illicit trafficking
Analysis of Article 33 Convention on the Rights of the Child
Detailed analysis of children’s protection from drugs
Additional Conventions
- International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers.
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
International Human Rights Conventions
Fundamental human rights protection framework
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Civil liberties and political rights protection
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Economic and social rights framework
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Women’s rights and gender equality protection
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
Protection against torture and inhumane treatment
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Comprehensive children’s rights protection
The 12 C's Prevention Framework
“Prevention doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Primary prevention in schools requires the support of parents, students and society if it is to be successful,” says Anders Eriksson, a drug advisor responsible for the PreCens drug prevention office in Stockholm.
He compiled the following list of factors necessary to guarantee successful prevention, now in use in prevention programs in Stockholm and Rio de Janeiro.
The Twelve C's of Drug Prevention
Consensus
Agreement among all those working together regarding prevention work for target groups.
Context
Understanding the environment and circumstances where prevention takes place.
Control
It's impossible to prevent drug use if drugs are easily available, cheap and socially accepted.
Combination
Not just prevention, treatment and enforcement, but a comprehensive plan involving social programs and services.
Complexity
Primary prevention must operate on both demand and supply through mass media, groups, and individuals.
Communication
Clear, effective messaging across all prevention efforts and stakeholders.
Complementarity
Strategies for the whole population, complemented with special attention for risk groups.
Continuity
Prevention is a long-term endeavor, a process that must be repeated continuously for all age groups.
Cooperation
One of the most important pillars - prevention is too complex for isolated actors.
Competence
Essential to have up-to-date knowledge about drug issues, almost in real time.
Credibility
There must be trust that each proposed objective will be attained.
Concreteness
Little use for theories if they cannot be put into practice.
Key Prevention Resources
Parents: A Natural Preventive Against Drugs – The Dutch Experience
Comprehensive guide on parental involvement in prevention
Australia’s Harm Minimisation Drug Policy Failure
Analysis of policy approaches and outcomes
Drug Prevention and Demand Reduction: The Highest of Priorities
Strategic framework for demand reduction initiatives
The Stress-Joy Check Up
Evaluation tool for emotional balance and resilience
Evidence-Based Research
Our scientific resources provide evidence-based research supporting OVOM’s mission. Access comprehensive studies on cannabis, alcohol, other substances, and policy analysis.
Cannabis Research
The Truth About Cannabis
Comprehensive analysis of cannabis effects and risks
Review of Latest Cannabis and CBD Studies
Recent research findings and medical implications
Cannabis & Cancer – European Data
European research on cannabis and cancer relationships
Cannabis & the Canadian Disaster
Analysis of legalization impacts in Canada
Cannabis & Anxiety – What Employers Should Know
Workplace implications and employer guidance
Marijuana Use and Violence
Research on links between marijuana and violent behavior
Alcohol Research
There is No Safe Level of Alcohol Use
Scientific evidence on alcohol safety thresholds
The Physical Effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Comprehensive FASD impact analysis
Effects of Paternal Exposure to Alcohol on Offspring Development
Research on paternal alcohol effects
Policy Analysis
The Truth About Decriminalisation
Analysis of decriminalization policies and outcomes
Drug Decriminalisation in Portugal: Setting the Record Straight
UK document analyzing Portuguese drug policy
Refuting False Claims for Portugal and Decriminalization
Australian analysis of Portuguese policy claims
Swedish Document – Decriminalisation and Drugs
Swedish perspective on drug decriminalization
Other Substances
The Truth About Vaping
Analysis of decriminalization policies and outcomes
The Truth About Ecstasy
Medical and safety research on MDMA/Ecstasy
Needle Exchange Programs
Analysis of harm reduction program effectiveness
Injecting Rooms Analysis
Research on supervised injection facilities
Children's Protection
The Protection of Children from Illicit Drugs
A Minimum Human Rights Standard
Analysis of policy compliance with international law
Parents & Concerned Citizens
Empowering ordinary people to get involved and become advocates for drug-free communities. Resources, guides, and tools for parents and concerned citizens to make a difference.
Our Generation
Creating awareness across all age groups to build a resilient society.
Our Children
Supporting early intervention and education for healthy futures.
Our Youth
Equipping teens with tools and choices that empower their journey.
Our Parents
Helping parents lead with guidance, care, and effective communication.
Our Environment
Fostering safe and drug-free spaces for families to thrive together.
Latest Resources & Articles
Building Resilient Communities
Learn how communities across the globe are successfully implementing drug prevention strategies and creating safer environments for families.
March 15, 2024
Read More
Parent Success Stories
Real stories from parents who have successfully navigated drug prevention challenges and helped their children make healthy choices.
March 10, 2024
Read More
Ready to Make a Difference?
library. Together, we can create drug-free communities and protect the next
generation.
