Spain’s Fad Juventud is marking its 40th anniversary with a new video featuring Queen Letizia, who has served as the organisation’s honorary president since 2015. The video looks back at four decades of efforts to prevent drug use and other risks affecting young people. It also offers an interesting perspective on how prevention messages have evolved, from the striking anti-drug advertisements of the 1980s to today’s greater emphasis on education, dialogue and young people’s wellbeing.

Founded in 1986 as the Fundación de Ayuda contra la Drogadicción, Fad emerged during Spain’s heroin crisis, when drug-related problems were creating widespread concern. Some of its early campaigns used disturbing images and direct warnings to attract public attention. These advertisements became part of Spain’s collective memory and reflected the urgency with which the country was responding to the problem. In the anniversary video, Queen Letizia recalls this history while recognising the many people who have contributed to the organisation’s prevention work.

Over time, Fad Juventud has changed its approach. Rather than concentrating mainly on the dangers of drugs or telling young people what not to do, its campaigns increasingly focus on helping them develop critical thinking, understand social pressures and make informed decisions. The organisation also recognises that prevention involves more than individual responsibility. Families, schools, social environments and wider societal conditions all influence the choices available to young people. Today, Fad Juventud’s work extends beyond substance use to include mental health, gambling, digital risks, violence and other issues affecting adolescents and young adults.

The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the changing role of communication in prevention. Messages that once relied heavily on fear and shock have increasingly given way to approaches that encourage participation, dialogue and understanding. Fad Juventud’s experience illustrates how prevention organisations can adapt to new generations and changing social realities while maintaining their commitment to protecting young people’s health and wellbeing. Its new video is both a recognition of four decades of work and a reminder that effective prevention communication must continue to evolve.

Find more from Fad (Spain, October 2026)