Local plan for the prevention of addictions and problematic use of screens in Rubí (2023-2027)

Main Objective:

To provide technical support in the development of the Local Plan for the Prevention of Addiction and Problematic Screen Use in Rubí.

Summary:

Episteme collaborated with Rubí Town Council and the Diputació de Barcelona to design the new Local Plan for the Prevention of Addictions and Problematic Screen Use (2023-2027). Prevention plans, whether targeting substance addictions or non-substance-related behaviours, are essential tools for shaping public health policies at the municipal level and ensuring decent living conditions for the entire population. These plans enable the formulation of a comprehensive local strategy to address addiction, covering prevention, intervention, and treatment of addictive behaviours. Consequently, they are invaluable resources for all citizens, regardless of whether they are directly affected by addiction.

Episteme provided technical consultancy services specialising in addictions to develop a local plan that was both meaningful and tailored to the specific needs of Rubí. To achieve this, we conducted a thorough assessment of substance and screen use among young people in the municipality. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, we accurately mapped the current situation in Rubí. Over a period of four months, we carried out 393 surveys, 13 interviews, and 3 focus groups. We also collected quantitative data from the CASO (Centre for Attention and Monitoring of Drug Addiction), the local police, and the Mossos d’Esquadra.

Following the fieldwork, we compiled the findings of the needs assessment into a comprehensive 183-page report. Based on the key conclusions, we outlined the primary objectives that Rubí should aim to achieve over the next five years. These were organised into seven areas of action: education, leisure and recreation, community, health, media, evaluation, and coordination and management. Once the objectives were agreed upon with the town council, we presented them to the plan’s technical committee. The objectives were then prioritised according to the specific needs identified in Rubí, and we subsequently designed corresponding activities to address these priorities.

Throughout the process, we maintained close collaboration with Rubí Town Council and the Diputació de Barcelona, holding monthly meetings over the course of a year. Finally, we drafted the introduction, theoretical and legal framework, and structured the entire plan. The result is a 300-page Local Plan for the Prevention of Addiction and Problematic Screen Use, which will serve as a foundation for implementing effective prevention, intervention, and treatment policies for addictive behaviours in Rubí.

Keywords:

Local prevention plans, public policies, intervention, approach, Rubí, Barcelona Provincial Council.