Gamified Prevention: Using Escape Room Strategies to Address Adolescent Drug Use in Schools

Drug use poses a significant global challenge, particularly impacting young people who, due to the vulnerabilities of adolescence, are especially susceptible to the dangers of various risky behaviors. This study presents the design and pilot phase of an innovative prevention method utilizing the escape room technique, specifically tailored for 15-16-year-olds. The interactive and experience-based environment aims to enable students to develop skills and strategies to resist drug use by engaging with realistic scenarios, while avoiding the shortcomings of punitive approaches (Bezençon et al., 2023; Botvin & Griffin, 2007). The escape room focuses on factors contributing to substance use – such as family issues, peer pressure, and emotional crises – and illustrates the process of addiction through the story of a 15-year-old teenager. This approach not only fosters prevention based on understanding but also provides students with valuable tools to develop healthy coping mechanisms. Keywords: drug, drug prevention, drug addiction, escape room, adolescence, vulnerability factors