Break Free is designed for the treatment of adolescents with drug-related behaviour problems. Teenagers between the ages of 12 to 18 years who are at a low to medium risk of developing addiction disorders. This programme is not suitable for treating serious dependency and addiction.

Break Free has elements of drug education, social and personal skills training and cognitive behavioural therapy. It covers 12 topics, usually delivered over two sessions of 1½ hours per session. Group sessions for ten to 15 participants are usually held twice a week and the entire programme is delivered over a period of 6 to 8 weeks.

Break Free prevents the establishment of a pattern of drug abuse and encourages a positive, healthy, and law-abiding, lifestyle by:

• Preventing the onset of fully-fledged drug abuse and addiction
• Developing unfavourable attitudes towards drug use and risky, offending behaviour
• Teaching critical social and life skills, including good decision-making, goal setting, stress management, peer resistance and assertiveness skills
• Building a positive sense of self and the belief in one’s ability to succeed.
• Increasing protective factors and decreasing risk factors associated with risky behaviour