In partnership with local leaders and frontline professionals, the Organization for Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation (OAPTAR) and ISSUP Malaysia has successfully implemented a community-based Family Program in rural Sarawak, Malaysia. This initiative is grounded in evidence-based principles to strengthen family bonds, build resilience, and prevent substance use among adolescents.
The program brought together parents, caregivers, and their children aged 8–16 for a series of highly engaging sessions focused on communication, emotional connection, conflict resolution, and support during crises. Delivered in both Bahasa Malaysia and local dialects, the activities were culturally adapted to reflect the values and daily realities of the community.
Each session featured practical tools, reflective storytelling, and joint family exercises — including gratitude circles, positive reinforcement, and adolescent development insights — fostering a renewed sense of trust and understanding within families.
By involving trained facilitators, medical professionals, and youth advocates, the program created safe spaces for dialogue and healing. It concluded with a powerful closing circle, reinforcing families’ commitment to one another and their community.
This family-centered prevention effort is part of OAPTAR’s and ISSUP Malaysia’s wider strategy to empower communities through prevention science, emotional literacy, and sustainable local solutions. It stands as a model for scaling up similar programs in underserved areas across Malaysia and the region.