Reimagining Youth Drug Prevention Through Creativity and Peer Influence - Project Out of the Blue

What youths hear matters. Who they hear it from decides whether it sticks.

Drug prevention has long been a national priority in Singapore, supported by strong enforcement, structured rehabilitation, and sustained public education efforts.

Yet the challenge continues to evolve.

Each year, thousands are arrested for drug-related offences, and a significant proportion are young people. According to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) Annual Statistics Report 2025, 583 new drug abusers arrested in 2025, representing 50% of all new drug abusers, were below 30 years old.

Prevention, therefore, cannot remain static. It must evolve with the people it seeks to reach.

A shift in approach

Project Out of the Blue is a youth engagement initiative by YGOS as part of Singapore’s ongoing drug prevention efforts, supported by the DrugFreeSG Fund and the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA).

This project places youths at the centre of the conversation, drawing on their stories and experiences to shape messages for their peers.

Through music and storytelling, participants explore real-life challenges, reflect on choices, and express perspectives that resonate with their peers. The process creates space for honest reflection, conversation, and influence.

From expression to influence

Participants journey through a structured creative process:

Creation → Collaboration → Production → Amplification

They write and produce original music, unpack the realities behind drug use, and examine what makes change difficult yet possible.

Youths are encouraged to translate their personal reflections to outward influence, shaping conversations within their own circles.

Why this matters

Traditional approaches to drug prevention often focus on awareness and consequences. While necessary, awareness alone does not always translate into behaviour change.

Young people are more likely to respond to messages that feel authentic, relatable, and grounded in lived experience. Therefore, positive peer influence plays a critical role in shaping decisions, especially during moments of vulnerability.

YGOS' role

Through this initiative, Youth Guidance Outreach Services continues its commitment to upstream prevention alongside its rehabilitation and intervention efforts, in support of the #DrugFreeSG movement.

At YGOS, our work with youths goes beyond addressing visible behaviours. We engage with the underlying realities such as emotional struggles, environmental pressures, and the need for support systems that foster growth.

In this project, we lead the youth engagement and facilitation process, creating meaningful opportunities for participation, reflection, and conversation that can positively shape attitudes and decisions.

Looking ahead

Project Out of the Blue will be rolled out through a series of music and social media releases, sharing both the final works and the journey behind them.

More importantly, it represents a broader shift in how youth engagement can be approached.

Follow the journey as we share more from Project Out of the Blue, and join us in supporting youths towards healthier choices.