Adaptation of Icelandic Model for Prevention of Adolescent Substance Use in New Brunswick

The Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) is a multi-level community collaborative initiative that focuses on broader social and environmental determinants over individual-based intervention, aiming to prevent substance use. The IPM is now being applied in other countries, and there is a need to explore implementation strategies to support adoption of the model in new settings.

The objective of this research is to examine stakeholder perceptions of the implementation barriers and facilitators within the early stages of IPM implementation in New Brunswick, Canada.

Semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus groups were held with key stakeholders (N = 35) and data were analyzed using QSR NVivo using thematic analysis. The results are categorized in two over-arching themes focused on barriers and facilitators.

We identified themes related to barriers, including partnership challenges, maintaining sustained engagement over the long-term and lack of community engagement and buy-in. Additional themes related to facilitators highlight components of the IPM that facilitate implementation, effective implementation strategies and building relationships in community. This paper offers new insights related to the implementation of the IPM in Canada, which will be valuable for other communities interested in implementing the model, as well as for future policy and practice in implementation of upstream prevention initiatives.