Assets Coming Together for Adolescents and Young Adult Health and Wellness (ACT NOW!!!): Engaging Community Actors in a Mapping Exercise to bridge the gap between drug prevention science and practice.
This presentation will be featured at Indonesia 2025, on the 17.09.2025.
Authors:
Dr Novia T. Carter-Lookie - Bahamas National Drug Council
Inderia Thompson - Bahamas National Drug Council
Trenique Stubbs - Bahamas National Drug Council
Commander Delvonne Duncombe - Royal Bahamas
Assistant Commissioner of Police Jermaine Adderley - Royal Bahamas Police Force
Abstract:
ACT NOW!!! is a community drug prevention initiative rooted in an asset mapping exercise that serves as a foundation for identifying effective intervention strategies. The presentation emphasizes leveraging insights gained from this mapping to form a coalition dedicated to executing four intervention programs: Engaging Youth in Prevention, Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D), Helping Young People Excel (HYPE), and Strengthening Families.
These interventions are built upon several fundamental principles: they adopt a public health framework, reflect community-based participatory values, are grounded in evidence-based practices, draw from relevant change theories, prioritize equitable partnerships among community stakeholders, aim to enhance the capacity of all partners through collaborative learning and knowledge sharing, promote a commitment to long-term sustainability, and strive to mobilize both tangible and intangible resources to foster safety, health, and peace. The success of ACT NOW ultimately depended on creating a collaborative atmosphere in which young individuals were not just passive participants in programs, but instead became proactive designers of their own well-being and the future of their communities.
ACT NOW!!! goes beyond mere data collection, serving as a driving force for authentic social change and sustainable community development. The mapping initiative not only pinpointed issues but also played a crucial role in crafting solutions, fostering community involvement, networking, and sustainability, while prioritizing the inclusion of both mainstream and marginalized voices within the Fox Hill Community.
This presentation will explore effective methodologies for community asset mapping and assess the impact of youth-led prevention programs, equipping attendees with practical assessment tools. This interactive session aims to foster active involvement, allowing participants to engage in discussions, share their experiences, and collaborate on innovative concepts for effective community asset mapping. The presentation highlights the transformative power of mapping as a crucial component in the creation of territorialized community-based drug prevention initiatives.