In 2025, a children’s society programme was implemented at the community level as a key initiative to empower children to grow up free from alcohol and drugs and to challenge positive expectations related to substance use. The programme was designed with the understanding that children are not only vulnerable to substance use but also capable of becoming active agents of change within their families and communities. Using a specially developed activity book titled “Our World Full of Happiness,” the programme was delivered directly to 12 village-level children’s societies across the three districts of Anuradhapura, Hambantota, and Monaragala. The activities were structured to be age-appropriate, interactive, and participatory, allowing children to explore the risks of alcohol and drug use through games, storytelling, role-playing, and group discussions. Key themes included identifying harmful substances, building resistance to peer pressure, understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy social norms, and developing confidence to say “no” to substance offers.
A total of 191 children from Anuradhapura, 185 from Hambantota, and 335 from Monaragala participated in the initiative, bringing the total number of children reached to 711. The programme proved highly effective, as evidenced by the active and sustained engagement of children throughout the sessions. Beyond participation in the structured activities, children independently organized and conducted poster campaigns in their villages to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. They also took part in community clean-up efforts, demonstrating a growing sense of civic responsibility and collective action. Most notably, as a direct result of these child-led awareness campaigns, cigarette sales were stopped in three shops in Monaragala District. This outcome was achieved through children’s persuasive communication with shop owners and community elders, supported by the programme’s emphasis on non-confrontational advocacy. The success of this initiative demonstrated that when children are equipped with knowledge, confidence, and a supportive platform, they can produce tangible, positive changes in their local environments.