Leading generic pharmaceutical company Actavis recently announced it will be extending its backing of the drug prevention programme, Youth in Europe (YIE) until 2016. In addition, the City of Reykjavik, Iceland, which serves as the chair and provides management for the programme, and the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA), will also be continuing their support.
Actavis, which has its roots in Iceland, made its announcement alongside YIE’s patron, the President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson at the recent Frankfurt Book Fair.
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland and Patron of Youth in Europe, commented, “We all have to think constructively about how we can contribute to this important fight. The most productive way is to base our actions on scientific knowledge and social research demonstrating which preventive programmes produce the most successful results. The gathering of knowledge in Iceland is of this nature and it is a privilege to bring it now to the benefit of others and thus help families and young people to lead a healthy and happy life.”
Claudio Albrecht, CEO of Actavis, said, “Experts in Iceland have spent more than a decade researching the factors that contribute most to the prevention of drug abuse, and Icelandic society has been mobilised in this fight. Today we are a global company, yet we remain extremely proud of our Icelandic roots and we are determined to help disseminate this valuable approach throughout Europe. That’s why we have now extended our sponsorship until 2016.”
YIE is considered by many to be the biggest health promotion project targeting youth substance abuse across Europe. This evidence-based, international programme was initiated by European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD) and is carried out in cooperation with major European cities.