Galicia launches new addiction prevention plan targeting digital and gambling risks

The Xunta de Galicia has authorized the Galician Addiction Prevention Plan 2026-2030, a new strategic framework designed to combat substance abuse and emerging technological dependencies. The plan expands its scope to explicitly include compulsive internet use, mobile phone addiction, and both physical and online gambling.

Key objectives for the youth population include delaying the initial contact with alcohol and tobacco by at least six months and reducing binge drinking episodes by 20%. To achieve this, the regional health department (Consellería de Sanidade) will deploy mobile prevention units to smaller municipalities and implement the SICA-Galicia analytical platform to monitor real-time threats such as screen addiction and new synthetic drugs.

The strategy also emphasizes stricter controls on the sale of alcohol, energy drinks, and tobacco to minors, alongside increased inspections of gambling venues. Additionally, the plan aims to ensure that 80% of schools in Galicia have active prevention programs and seeks to promote alternative nightlife through sports and cultural activities to discourage public drinking.