Finland’s national Preventive Substance Use Work Week takes place every year during week 45. The 2025 theme focuses on talking about dependency early. The core message is to ask a clarifying question, since dependency does not disappear by staying silent. The campaign explains that raising the issue early can prevent problems from developing and can help someone realise they may be at risk. The initiative is coordinated by the Finnish network for preventive substance use work, known as the EPT network.

This year’s theme highlights how early intervention protects health and wellbeing. Dependency is described as a state where a person feels a compulsive need to use a substance or engage in an activity even when it causes harm. The campaign emphasises the responsibility adults have when it comes to young people, who often do not recognise the seriousness of their situation even though many want support. To help adults and professionals, the campaign provides materials including a guide for initiating conversations, an A3 poster, three social media images targeted at youth, adults and older people, and a digital screen version.

Training and information sessions for social and health care professionals form a major part of the week. The opening webinar on 3 November covers dependency from medical, experiential and municipal viewpoints. It includes presentations on diagnostic criteria, a lived experience story from a person in recovery, reflections on how the term dependency is used today and practical advice from the city of Järvenpää on how to bring up concerns early. Additional short sessions run throughout the week. They focus on nicotine use among young people, the line between entertainment use and dependency in adults and the balance between autonomy and necessary intervention when supporting older people who misuse substances or medications.

The campaign also highlights that many young people want to talk about substance use or dependency with an adult, even if they struggle to start the conversation themselves. Health nurse Soile Tanska explains that young people often have already tried to quit nicotine products like pouches or vapes before seeking help, and that the most important thing an adult can offer is trust and nonjudgmental support. She encourages adults to ask simple questions, listen carefully and create a safe space for the young person to express their own thoughts and feelings. The overall goal of the 2025 Preventive Substance Use Work Week is to show how early, respectful conversations can prevent dependency from taking root and help people of all ages feel understood and supported.

Find more from EPT Verkosto (Finland, November 2025)