Growing up in an Opportunity Environment (OKO)

With OKO, the municipalities aim to reduce and prevent substance use. The program is based on scientific research in Iceland. Since its introduction, substance use among the group of young people studied has declined sharply and is now among the lowest using young people in Europe. A test with six Dutch municipalities showed that the Icelandic model is also successful in the Netherlands and results in a reduction of substance use.

Connection, engagement and growth

With OKO, everyone in the municipality works together to form the positive environment for young people. OKO focuses on four domains: the family, school, the circle of friends and leisure time. Furthermore, the municipality works together with the GGD and Indigo Haaglanden and wants to cooperate actively with local partners, such as social organizations, associations and with parents and volunteers.

Youth research

The municipality would also like to cooperate with the schools in Wassenaar, as schools can play an important role in the program. OKO uses a questionnaire and with it, using the four domains, brings personal information into Map. This questionnaire is not only about substance use, but specifically about how things are going at school and whether the young people are happy. The results of the questionnaires are the starting point for the prevention approach to prevent substance use.

Successful kick-off meeting

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Wassenaar municipality, together with the program 'Growing up in a Promising Environment' (OKO), organized an inspiring kick-off meeting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting took place at the Van der Valk hotel 'De Bijhorst' in Wassenaar and brought together a diverse group of 90 attendees. This group included: sports associations, schools, police, neighborhood and cultural associations and bureau Halt.

The meeting officially launched the OKO program in Wassenaar. This program, developed in cooperation with the Trimbos Institute, aims to prevent alcohol, drug and tobacco use among young people in Wassenaar and stimulate their mental well-being. The OKO program is based on the Icelandic model. This program has led to a significant decline in substance use among young people in Europe. 

Youth substance use is higher in Wassenaar than in the rest of the region and it is not decreasing. In addition, the mental health of youth is under pressure due to the increasing consumption of drugs and alcohol. The OKO program wants to create a healthy living environment, in which young people can develop positively, substance use can be prevented and mental health is strengthened. 

The meeting kicked off with an opening interview by Barbara Barend with Ronald Zoutendijk, Alderman Public Health. This was followed by a presentation by the GGD Haaglanden on how youth in Wassenaar are doing. The Trimbos Institute also came up and talked about the OKO program, its implementation and the process in different municipalities. As the last part, the ultimate and common OKO dream was discussed in different groups. 

Alderman Ronald Zoutendijk (Public Health): "In Wassenaar we are determined to offer our young people a healthy and promising future. From now on, we are increasingly shaping OKO and want to work 'community-based' with partners who are indispensable. In collaboration with local partners, parents and residents, we aim to create a positive living environment in which young people can develop under favorable conditions. With this kick-off meeting we have taken a nice first step."

Next steps

In the coming period, in cooperation with the GGD Haaglanden, we will continue preparations for a questionnaire to be administered to young people in secondary education this fall. We will also engage with local partners about their role and involvement in OKO. In the long term, a dialogue session is planned in the spring. During this session we will discuss with local partners and involved organizations the figures that have emerged from the questionnaire.